Codes and Conventions of Thriller Genre.

1. My Understanding of Thriller
Genre – Codes and Conventions.

2. What is a Thriller ?
• Genre that revolves around anticipation and
suspense. The aim for Thrillers is to keep the
audience alert and on the edge of their seats
wanting more.

3. The Characters
The protagonist in these films is set against a problem –
an escape, mission or a mystery. The tension with the
main problem is built on throughout the film and leads
to a highly stressful climax.

4. Example of a thriller genre.
• The Great Escape –Directed by John Sturges. Released in 1963. A large group of
POW’s plan escape from a German camp in World War II.
• The Silence of the Lambs –Directed by Jonathan Demme. Released in 1991. An FBI
agent develops a relationship with the notorious serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lector, in
order to gain Lectors assistance in the hunt for another serial killer.
• North By Northwest –. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Released in 1959. Mistaken
for a government agent by foreign spies, an advertising agent travels cross-country
to survive

5. Flashbacks
• Flashbacks are used in thriller films to create a
feeling of space and time disorientation.
• Convention of thriller genre it can display
what has happened in the past which
therefore gives the audience an insight into
other characters pasts.

6. Memento
With everything being repetitive and constantly going
backwards in order to move forward, it is exactly what
Lenny does in order to gain knowledge so he can continue
on with his life. Also plays with the audiences mind as we
are also as confused as the narrator.

7. Mirrors
• Mirrors are often shown in thriller films. They
are reflections and duplications of reality. It
can also highlight alter egos and make a small
room feel much larger. This could result in in
the audience feeling tense and uneasy. They
can be useful to represent the darkness and
evil in certain characters.

8. Taxi Driver (1976)
Emphasizes his isolation from the world he seems
to direct his hatred at. Shows his distorted
perception of New York.

9. Low key lighting
• Low-key commonly used in thrillers because of
the very heavy dark shadows it creates, which
then distorts contours of the face making it
very disorientating and mysterious to the
audience
• Contrast created with low-key lighting makes
it very "in your face" and makes it stand out
and adds a nice visual appeal to the film.

10. Eraserhead (1997)