A thriller usually presents a series of unfortunate events that lead up to a climax between the protagonist and antagonist. Common elements in thriller trailers include montages of mundane activities set to tension-filled music, the use of dramatic lighting effects like low-key lighting and red lighting during high-tension scenes, and internal character dialogue to convey the plot without fully revealing spoilers. Trailers also employ techniques like synchronous music, dramatic camera angles, transitional effects between shots, and a contrast between initial happy scenes and later scenes of trouble to build suspense and intrigue without giving away the entire story.

1. Intro
A thrillerusuallypresentsa seriesofunfortunate eventsthat leadsup to a climax betweenthe
protagonist and antagonist. Suspense isvital in a thriller.
Firsttrailer
Here isa sectionof the trailerfrom Insidious(2011)
Here we can hear the tensionmusic, like a ticking sound. This feature isfeatured inalmost every
thrillertrailer. The montage of everydaymundane activitiesisa clear example ofmontages being
common in thrillers,as you will see in the followingtrailers.
The tensionmusicis not relevantto the activitiescarried out in these montage shots, creatinga
juxtapositionbetweenthe two. This isasynchronous sound.
High angle shots are shown several times,as thoughthe audience is at an advantage over the
characters in the film,a highervantage point.
SecondTrailer
This trailer clipis for Lights Out (2016)
Here,we can alsosee the combinationof a montage withdramatic high-tensionmusic.The beat
of the musicis usuallyin sync with the start ofeach shot. A voiceoverisheard here,yet isnot an
external voice,it is taken from a scene in the filmand still is able to guide us through the trailer.
Withthe name ofthis particular filmfocusingon light,the absence of lightis usedfrequently
throughout the trailer.Low keylightingis prevalentand we can view figuresby theirsilhouettes
and shadows. This revealssome aspects of the antagonist,yet doesnot give away the whole thing,
which is perfectfor a trailer as we do not want to spoil the plot.
Colouredlightingplays a role here,as often,sceneswith redlightingare ones of hightension
where the protagonist isin trouble,while blue lightinghas beenincorporated whensolutionsare
present.
Thirdtrailer
The final trailer clipis from Prisoners(2013)
Pathetic fallacyis usedhere,alongside the typical montage format accompanied with suspenseful
music. The dialogue we have heard inall trailers have beeninternal character speechthat has
beenchosento explainthe rough plot of the film.
Transitions are variedin this trailer,as oftenshots with fade to black, or will dissolve.Here,
examplesshowclose up shots overlayingparts of the film.
A happy family life isshown at the start of thistrailer, emphasisingthe difference whenthingsgo
wrong for the protagonist. This difference hasbeenmade apparent in the change from high key or
natural light to dark and low-keylighting.