Thriller opening conventions typically set the scene with dark, cryptic images in low lighting to create a sense of mystery and fear in the audience. Slow-paced, low-pitched screechy music adds to the tense atmosphere as static or slow-moving images build anticipation for something to happen. Various visual elements like religious symbols, crime scene props, or character introductions are used to provide context clues and intrigue about the background story.

1. Thriller opening conventions
 Settingof the scene/situation.
 Dark and crypticimagesstrike a sense of fearintothe audience.Thisisalsodone through
the fontchosenfor the credits.
 Low lightingcreatesamystery,anideaof the unknown.
 The imagesare verysloworstatic creatinga tense atmosphere inwhichthe audience are
anticipatingsomething.
 Slowpaced,lowpitchedandscreechynondiegeticmusicaddstothe atmosphere.
 Creditstopeople involvedthroughoutopeningsequence.
 Introductionof religiousthrillerthroughimagesof the bible andsuch.

2.  The classicfont introducesthe ideaof mysterywell andcreatesaconfusingbackground
story,thus,intriguingthe audience.
 Brown,oldpaperbackgroundgoeswell withthe crime/detective elementof the film.
 Redand blackblotchesof inkindicate dangerandstrike a sense of fearasit symbolises
blood.
 The dim lightingagainaddstothe ideaof frantic behaviourandtension/suspense.
 Introductionof crime thrillerthroughuse of mise-en-scenesuchasthe use of large detective
coats and hats.As well asthisthe image of gunsand the use of the colourwhite forthe
woman’sface implementdangerandmysteryreallywell.
 Creditsforfilm(actors,director,backgroundstaff etc.) are alsoshow.
 Dark screensautomaticallyindicate fearandmisery,introducesthe aspectof a
psychological thrillerwell.
 Havingtwo charactersin the openingsequence displaysasense of tension,regardlessof
whetherthere isornot,betweenthe two.

3.  Mise-en-scene:The choice of setting,seeminglyasmall town,are stereotypicallyusedin
thrillerfilmsinvolvingcrime andconfusion.
 Low levelsof lightingshroudthe scene insuspenseandmystery,the audience therefore,
anticipate somethingbadtohappen.
 Actors creditsalsogiventhroughout.