The document discusses common visual and technical elements found in the genre of psychological thrillers. It notes that titles often use bold, dark colors and letters that stand out against a black background to create a sense of tension. Costumes are usually normal to add realism, but characters experiencing psychological issues have a more disheveled appearance. Locations are also typically normal places but with elements suggestive of danger, and the films may cut between normal settings and places like mental hospitals that connote fear. Weapons, phones, and computers are common props that advance themes of violence and mystery.

2. They all have dark
features with writing
that is bold and
really stands out.
Big bold letters which stand out. They are
red which symbolises danger. The camera
then zooms in to make it look like the
words are coming towards the audience
which creates visual tension.
The white writing really stands
out against the black
background. Up until this point,
the title sequence follows a
black crayon scribbling on
paper. As the music becomes
more frantic, the scribbling also
does which causes the crayon
to break. This reflects how the
main character’s mental state
effectively breaks down
throughout the film. These are
features very common within
this genre.
Unlike the other that have a dark
background, this title has a dark font
instead. The camera is looking up at the
title through the trees and spins with the
title. The spinning creates a sense of
confusion whilst the writing looking down
on the camera creates a very ominous
feel to the title. These are both common
features of psychological thrillers.

3. Usually in this genre, the costume tends to be quite ‘normal’ in order to add a
sense of realism which accentuates that all the possibly abnormal things that
are happening are all in the character’s mind. This then emphasises the
psychological element to psychological thrillers.
Although the costume is usually normal, the character who is experiencing
psychological hurdles will usually have a much more messy look about them in
order to show how what’s happening in their mind is much more significant to
them than their appearances.
Although these two
costumes are ‘normal,’
it is clear to see a lack
of care in appearance
which could signal
mental deterioration.

4. In order to provide a sense of realism and contrast the things happening in the
character’s mind, the location of most psychological thrillers are set in fairly
‘normal’ places. Usually, in these places, there are elements suggestive of
danger such as low light in dilapidated buildings. However, it is also common for
psychological thrillers to intersperse ‘normal’ locations with locations set in
mental hospitals and prisons which both have connotations of danger and will
create fear within the film.

5. • Weapons of some description such as guns because most psychological
thrillers involve a heavy theme of violence.
• Technology plays a massive part in this genre:
• Phones – phones often act as a device for characters to establish
tension within scenes by acting as devices to create mystery.
• Computers – sometimes in this genre, computer hacking becomes a
theme and is indicative of criminality which is a common feature in
psychological thrillers.