This document outlines several key conventions of thriller movies. It discusses how thrillers typically introduce an enigma in the beginning that is resolved at the end to engage audiences. The protagonist aims to restore order while the antagonist tries to disrupt it. Common thriller techniques include tense music, shadows, quick cuts, secret hideouts, and close combat scenes. Protagonists are flawed characters motivated to solve a problem, while antagonists are compelling and hiding things to stop the protagonist. Themes often relate to societal fears, and cinematography aims to build tension through close-ups and hidden antagonist shots. Editing uses jump cuts and cross-cutting, while music intensifies the suspense.

1. Conventions of a ThrillerConventions of a Thriller
By Kelechi Okorie

2. NarrativeNarrative
 In thriller movies an enigma is set in the opening
sequence of the film, then it is further
complicated and resolved at the end, this is to
engage the audience more so they can become
interested in the film until the last scene where
all the questions are answered and revealed. A
thriller normally includes an encounter
between the protagonist and antagonist, when
there is an interruption in the equilibrium.
Then the story shows a chain of bad events
building tension and suspense for the climax.
The objective of the protagonist is to restore
peace and justice, while the antagonist
attempts to destroy it.

3. Conventions of a ThrillerConventions of a Thriller
 Diagetic sound of breathing
 Tense and slow music (usually done by using a violin)
 Shadows
 Flashbacks
 Black and white
 Quick and Jump cuts
 Low key Lighting ( dark)
 Protagonist battling the Antagonist
 Montage of shots
 Fast changes in the angle of shots
 Victims
 Secret hideouts
 Extreme close ups
 Steady cam
 Explosions
 Close combat
 High angle shots
 Victims

4. Characters: The ProtagonistCharacters: The Protagonist
 They have a problem that needs solving.
 They have the ability to act.
 They have reasons to act.
 They have something to lose.
 They have something to gain.
 They have the capacity to change.
 They have a compelling quality.
 They have an interesting flaw.
 They have a secret.
 They have someone or something interesting
trying to stop him ( Antagonist).


5. Characters: The AntagonistCharacters: The Antagonist
 A strong antagonist is trying to accomplish
something.
 A strong antagonist is acting on personal desires.
 A strong antagonist is highly motivated to act.
 A strong antagonist is trying to avoid something.
 A strong antagonist is trying to gain something.
 A strong antagonist is willing to adapt.
 A strong antagonist is compelling in some way.
 A strong antagonist is flawed in relatable ways.
 A strong antagonist is hiding things.
 A strong antagonist is in the path of the
protagonist’s goal.

6. Summary of CharactersSummary of Characters
 The Protagonists main aim and objective is to
restore the equilibrium
 The Antagonist will have a hidden identity
that the audience will uncover as the film
progresses.

7. ThemesThemes
 The most common theme of a thriller is often
based around something that occupies a lot
of what society thinks about and is
concerned about for example Kidnapping,
Isolation and Guilt. The storyline will be
manufactured so the audience will be able
to empathize and sympathize with the
characters and the story. This is effective
cause it makes them feel horrified as it will
become relatable and relevant to them.

8. CinematographyCinematography
 In a thriller film the director will aim to have a lot of close
ups and extreme close ups of the main character
(protagonist). This is effective because it will show their
emotions more clearly to the audience and it will give
the audience a sense of what they might be thinking.
The shot may also be used to show that the character is
thinking. The main focus of a close up and extreme
close up can be on a prop to signify the importance of
the object.
 In the thriller genre, the antagonistic character will be cut
quickly and the director will aim to keep their identity
hidden until the pivotal scenes in the film. They will do
this by having over the shoulder shots, close up shots of
their clothing or items important to them, shots of their
shadow, silhouettes and many more.

9. EditingEditing
 Editing in a thriller films is very effective.
Directors will include a huge amount of
jump cuts as there will be major events
occurring that the audience is unaware of
however these events are vital for the film to
move on and make sense so they can
understand at the end of the film. Cross
cutting plays a pivotal part in the movies as
this helps to build suspense and tension
which is important for a film in the thriller
genre.

10. SoundSound
 The music needs to be appropriate to the
genre in order to set the scenes in the film.
Music is important to any film as it helps
the audience to understand the emotions of
the characters and it helps give the
audience an idea of what may be a
significant part in the film. In a thriller it
adds to the suspense and tension. The
music in a thriller often starts at a slow pace
and then it builds up to make the camera
angles, scenes, dialogue and shots more
engaging for the audience.