This document discusses the narrative structure of psychological thriller films. It notes that these films often feature characters with mental disorders and non-linear narratives. Specifically, it analyzes how Identity and Fight Club are examples of "portmanteau films" that tell interrelated stories through multiple characters and flashbacks. While employing unconventional, non-linear structures, these thrillers still incorporate traditional elements like enigma codes and McGuffins to build suspense and tension through the narrative.

1. Thriller Narrative Plots
All these thriller films feature similar narrative
plots, they are all psychological thrillers in
which their characters have a mental disorder
such as multiple personalities. Also they are all
portmanteau films that contain non linear
narrative structure.
Traditional thriller narrative
structure:
• Equilibrium
• Disruption or disequilibrium
• Equilibrium re- established

2. Identity directed by James Mangold is a thriller
portmanteau film. It consists of portmanteau
elements as there are more than five main
characters who reveal their individual stories but
turns out these stories and themselves are fiction
constructed within an individuals mind.
Portmanteau films can be defined as a collection of
inter related stories in a single vessel. They can
also be referred to anthology films, theses movies
typically consist of four or five shot narratives
connected by a frame story which is the main plot.
These films for an alternative way of telling the
narrative towards the audience, usually the
narrative is used to portray events and actions
happening to the characters told within a liner
chronological time and narrative structure.
As these films are non traditional they are non
linear narrative structure aspects as
flashbacks, dream sequences and scenes that are
separate start from the same point in time.
In 6 souls its clear that this is a thriller
portmanteau film as it has lots of flashbacks from
different characters perspectives.
In Fight Club directed by David Fincher is a thriller
portmanteau film as it highlights more than one
narrative it portrays several sub plots within time
and through different characters.
Even though these are all portmanteau films they
still consist of traditional thriller plots elements in
order to create suspense for the audience and
tension throughout the narrative, this is shown
through the use of enigma codes and McGuffins in
order to establish the sense of mystery.