This document discusses the genre conventions of psychological thrillers. It notes that psychological thrillers emphasize the mental state and unstable emotions of characters over plot. Common themes in psychological thrillers include death, reality, identity, existence, and purpose. The proposed film will focus on the themes of death and reality, following a man struggling with his wife's death as she appears to follow him. Mise-en-scene and sound design are also important elements to set the mood for a psychological thriller.

1. Psychological thrillers
forms and conventions
Adam Pye

2. The genre
The film we’d like to make will be a psychological thriller. This is a sub genre of
thrillers and horrors. Thrillers usually center around anticipation and suspense. A
psychological thrillers tend to emphasizes the mentality and state of mind of its
characters. Generally there will be a focus on the mane character and the unstable
emotions and mind of this character.
Psychological thrillers often have a big emphasis on the characters as much as, if not
more so, than on the plot. They also often incorporate an element of mystery. Plot
twists aren’t uncommon in psychological thrillers. This can be seen in many films of
the genre such as Shutter Island. This film follows the mindset of distraught man and
his emotional battel. However there is a real twist at the end.

3. Common themes
Psychological thrillers often follow certain themes that focus the story;
• Death
• Reality
• Identity
• Existence
• Purpose
These develop the plot and make the story a psychological thriller.

4. The theme of our film
The theme of our film focuses on two main psychological thriller themes. These will
be death and reality. Our main character will struggle with the death of his wife and
the reality of his existence as she follows him around.
It will also have an element of mystery around it. As the character has several
flashbacks it will reveal certain parts of the plot will be revealed bit by bit. However
the main part will not be revealed until later in the story.
Our film will also feature this as a plot twist. While I’ve stated the wife is dead that
isn’t clear until further on in the film.

5. Mise-En-Scene
Mise-En-Scene is a key element to what makes a psychological thriller. It shapes the
film and makes it look right and fit the genre well.
• Low key lighting- They add tension to a scene and make the scene more interesting
and indicate darkness.
• Props- Props can add a lot to the scene and are critical to the film to portray things
correctly.
• Costumes- Costumes can be used in some films to indicate the characters
personality of profession or something like that- for example in some cases they can
show if a persons a criminal or a police man. In some incidences they can create an
element of darkness. This can be vital in some psychological thrillers.
• Location- This is an important too psychological thrillers. They’re often set in dark
places of in suburban modern places.

6. Sound
Sound is used in all films. They create the mood and can portray things too the
audience that isn’t spoken. This will be an important part of our film as it will
create the feel and set the mood for them. Music used in psychological thrillers
are often used in scenes to create shock or build up tension.