Codes and Conventions of thriller movies

1. CODES AND
CONVENTIONS

2. • Movies that incorporate the thriller genre aim to
create suspense and excitement for the audience.
The storyline is often designed to be relatable so the
audience can feel as if it can happen to them, which
creates a factor of fear, anxiety and realism as well as
desire to watch on.
• Unlike horror movies which have unrealistic
scenarios occurring e.g. The Rising of the Dead.
Thrillers have an element of realism which allows
producers to portray a message/lesson to the
audience.

3. • One common convention of thriller movies is
the mystery throughout the movie which
usually has a logical/rational explanation
rather than a supernatural one
• There is often a conflict, evil vs. good, the
antagonist usually seeks to disturb the peace
whereas the protagonist tries to restore
rightness and harmony
• Thrillers are often shot with low-key lighting
with emphasized shadows as this increases
the suspense and mystery of the movie
• The use of music creates intensity and
tension which is another convention of
thriller movies.

4. • Violence is another common convention in a
thriller movies however it is not as bloody and
graphic as horror movies
• Close ups are often used in Thrillers as this
creates suspense and allows the emotions of the
characters to be shown
• The identity of the ‘villain’ is regularly hidden
through the use of camera shots and shadows
• The use of jump cuts within thrillers allows events
to occur without the audience being aware but,
said events are similarly essential in order for the
film to make sense

5. Psychological Thriller
• Psychological thriller is a sub genre of the Thriller
genre. Other than having the common traits of
the thriller genre, psychological thrillers also
often include features from the drama, horror
and mystery genre.
• These movies are often set in modern places and
urban cities in order to give the movie a more
real life, relatable feeling rather than the
countryside or an isolated location which is
commonly associated with horror movies.

6. • The usage of Flashbacks within these movies
provide the audience with an insight into the
characters past
• In psychological thrillers the characters are not only
exposed to physical dangers they are also made
vulnerable to danger on a mental level.
• The typical characters in psychological thrillers are:
- Convicts
- Criminals
- Mentally ill/psychotic individuals e.g. The Shining
(1980)
- Stalkers e.g. One Hour Photo (2002)
- Innocent, non suspecting victims