This document discusses the codes and conventions of thriller films. It notes that thrillers typically involve a battle between a protagonist seeking to restore justice and an antagonist seeking to destroy it. Key conventions include crimes or flawed protagonists being exploited by antagonists, narratives with false clues and resolutions building tension, and protagonists often shown in danger. Cinematography aims to reveal clues about antagonists while hiding their identities through shots like silhouettes or from behind. Common thriller themes involve identity, manipulation of perspective, and earlier films' objectification of women.

1. DISCUSSION OF
CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF
THRILLERS
AS Media By Jason R Sulit

3. Definition of a thriller
In thrillers the aim of the protagonist is to
restore justice while the antagonist seeks to
destroy it, you could say that thrillers are
usually a battle between the protagonist and
the antagonist character when there is a
disruption in the equilibrium. Usually in the
plot it tends to show a chain of bad event the
would build up tension and suspense for the
climax.

4. Thriller codes and
convention
 The core of the narrative is usually a crime.
 The narrative structure is complex meaning
there are false clue, paths and resolutions.
 Ordinary situations are exaggerated to
extraordinary events.
 The protagonist has some for of flaw which is
exploited by the antagonist.
 Titles often show the psychological state of
the pro/antagonist .

5. Thriller codes and
convention
 Mise en scene such as mirrors reflect an
unfortunate event of the protagonist.
 The protagonist is usually seen in danger in
one or more scenes in the film.
 The protagonist is usually tied up in an
increasingly complex web by the antagonist
until the protagonist feels helpless.
 Micro element are combined to build up
suspense.

6. Thriller codes and
convention
 It is often that in the last scene the
protagonist is seen in peril.
 Establishing enigmas is a narrative pattern
which the viewer expects to be resolved.
 The opening sequence tends to have a series
of/one important enigma, this is then further
complicated during the first part of the film
and later resolved at the very end.

7. Thriller themes
 The storylines of thrillers are usually designed
to make the audience think that it could happen
to them which therefore scares the audience.
 Identity is a common theme e.g. Mistaken
identity, amnesia, doubling/doppelgangers.
 A visual theme of thrillers are manipulation of
perspective, optical illusions reflection, mirroring
etc.
 Voyeurism could also be a theme, in earlier
thrillers an objectification of female characters
was a common conception in thrillers.

8. Characters
 The protagonist tends to be a brave male
character who’s aim is to restore the
equilibrium
 The antagonist usually has a identity that is
hidden from the audience and will uncover as
the film progresses. Often past event is the
reason why the antagonist wants revenge.

9. Cinematography
 Close ups and extreme close ups will be used to
show the protagonist’s emotion and is also a
good way to focus on props to aid the narrative.
 The antagonist will be presented with shots that
aim to hide their identity for example a shot
from the back of them, a low key shot e.g.
Silhouette or the shadow of the antagonist.
Close ups could also be used to present the
antagonist, e.g.To show a clue but to close to
reveal the identity of the antagonist.