2. Conventions of the thriller genre
The native of a thriller movie is generally based around a crime, For example
a serial killer on the loose. The primary purpose of a thriller movie is to
“thrill” the audience and leave them in suspense. The suspense is conveyed
through sound, editing, mise-en-scene and cinematography.
Additionally, thriller movies are usually set in mundane situations where
extraordinary events occur.
A common theme in thrillers (innocent
victims dealing with psychos) is seen
in Hitchcock's film Rebecca
(1940), where Mrs. Danvers tries to
persuade Mrs. De Winter to leap to her
death.
3. Editing
Thriller movies rely on editing to encourage the audience to engage their
interest. For example, match on action (cross cutting) is often used to build
up suspense. Match on action establishes action occurring at the same time,
often in the same time at two different locations. In general, the editing
pace goes from one extreme to the other, it is either a fast editing pace to
convey the movies is action packed, or slow editing pace to create a feeling
of tension.
4. sound
Thriller movies rely on both diegetic and non- diegetic sound to add to the
suspense in a thriller movie. The non-diegetic scores are mostly of a slow
tempo which may then gradually increase. For example, when confronted by
a serial killer the tempo will likely increase as the serial killer gets ever
closer. Thrillers often heighten diegetic sounds to in creasing the feeling of
fear.
5. Mise-en-scene
The mise-en-scene of the movie can also convey the traditional feeling of
fear and suspense. For example if a thriller movie was set in an abandoned
countryside the location choice would create a sense of loneliness and
isolation. The most intense scenes my also be filmed at night time or low
key lighting may be used as these features are associated with fear.
6. Thriller sub-genres
Psychological thriller
Is a specific sub-genre of the broad ranged thriller with heavy focus on the unstable
emotional states of characters, in combination with mystery and thriller. However, it
often in corporates elements from the mystery and drama genre, along with the typical
traits of the thriller genre. In addition to drama and mystery, many psychological
thrillers contain elements of, and often overlap with, the horror genre, particularly
psychological horror. The Alfred Hitchcock films Suspicion, Shadow of a Doubt, and
Strangers on a Train and David Lynch's bizarre and influential Blue Velvet are notable
examples of the type, as are The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Machinist, Don't Say A Word,
House of 9, Trapped, Flightplan, Shutter Island, Secret Window, Identity, Red Eye.
