Thriller film codes and conventions

1. Thriller Films – Codes and Conventions 7-6-16
Genre- defined by its codes and conventions
All films of a genre share generic conventions
Key New Vocabulary
IDEOLOGY – idea, messages, values
ICONOGRAPHY – key objects (props!)
Going against conventions in a film keeps it interesting, (variation) and brings in a new
audience.
Definition of a thriller film (James Patterson, June 2006)
- create intensity of emotions – apprehension, exhilaration, excitement, breathlessness:
create thrill
Thriller films are much less violent than horrors: they are more suggestive of violence and aim
to be intriguing by often having a complex storyline.
The idea of the thriller is that there is a thrill or surprise that the audience don’t see coming to
create an unexpected ending.
Thriller films
- use suspense, tension and excitement
- have an atmosphere of menace, violence (suggestive), crime and murder
- society is seen as dark and corrupt and dangerous
- literary devices such as plot twists, red herrings and cliff hangers are used