Thrillers aim to keep audiences on the edge of their seats through suspense and anticipation. They place protagonists in dangerous, mysterious, or impossible situations to escape from. Various techniques are used to build tension, including the use of shadows, editing, flashbacks, and certain colors. Thrillers come in different genres, such as action thrillers which use physical stunts and chases, crime thrillers about serial killers and robberies, and psychological thrillers that rely on the mind. Common themes involve revenge, survival, paranoia, terrorism, and mysteries. Characters include criminals, victims, assassins, and people with dark pasts. Alfred Hitchcock was famously known as the "master

2.  A thriller
is a genre movie that are based on a
great deal of anticipation and suspense.
 They aim to keep audiences alert and the
edge of their seats
 The protagonists would always be set a
problem, an escape or mission or mystery.
 Thrillers emphasize the danger that the
protagonist faces.
 The tension usually arises when the main
characters are placed in a menacing situation,
mystery or on an dangerous mission where
an escape seems impossible.

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Mirrors - are used to portray the reflection of a characters soul and
inner self it could also foreshadow the darkness within certain
characters such as villains
Twist - by adding the element of surprise the audience can
recognise the film as thriller '
Shadows – give the film a darker and creepier feel. It also connotes
the idea of unknown circumstances and unknown answers.
Obtrusive editing - are used to create the feeling of suspense and
tension, they are used in a particular 'thrilling scene‘ which creates
a disorientation of what is happening with the movie
Flashbacks – this shows the audience what has happened in the
past to give the audience and insight into the characters lives and
to give audience clues in how to solve the mystery
Colours Black, red and white - used to highlight the use of shadows
and perhaps blood and murder that makes the thriller eerie and
dark.

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Action thrillers use physical
action to create suspense in the
film
They have continuous motion
and action including physical
stunts, chases, fights, battles,
and races.
These scenes contribute to the
overall sense of danger that the
protagonist is facing.
An example of an action thriller
is Taken.

5. 
Usually includes a serial
killer, murderer, robbery,
and/or manhunt.
 The storyline focuses both
around the criminal breaking
the law and the protagonist
having to find/or catch the
criminal
 Crime Thrillers use both
action and psychological
aspects to build tension and
suspense
 An example of an crime
thriller is Red Dragon

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Usually are very complex,
The suspect does not use physical
strength, but uses psychology to get to
their victim
Includes elements of drama and mystery
Protagonists usually must find their ‘true
identity’ or face their inner demons
The protagonists have to rely on mental
resources to solve their situation.
Psychological thrillers sometimes cross
over into the horror genre
An example of an psychological thriller is
Shutter Island

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Science based themes are used
in the plot.
Includes, heroes, villains,
unexplored locations , fantastical
quests as well as advanced
technology
This genre will often explore ‘the
future gone bad’
Plots could include, alien
invasions, dystopian scenarios
and super diseases.
An example of this is War of the
Worlds

8. Reveng
e
Survival
Paranoia
The Paranormal
Kidnappings
Mission
THEMES OF
THRILLERS
Terrorism
Danger
Escape
Political
conspiracy
Murders
These themes are used to create suspense for example a murderous
theme there will always be the tension of who is going to die next and who
is causing the deaths. Also in a paranormal theme there is always the worry
of the unknown which causes the audience to be on the edge of their seats.

9. Criminals
Psychotic/
Sociopaths
Innocent
Victims (often
on the run)
Stalkers
Characters
with dark
pasts
CHARACTERS
IN THRILLERS
Assassins
Troubled
women
Terrorists
People involved in
twisted
relationships
These characters help build the suspense for example a brave hero is able
to escape difficult situations where as the crazy sociopath creates these
impossible situations and the suspense is there as the audience have no
idea what the sociopath or criminal will do next.

10. 
Alfred Hitchcock was a
famous English film producer
and director and best known
for his thriller films
 He was known to his
audiences as the ‘master of
suspense’
 He frames shots to maximise
anxiety and fear
 The use of camera was made
to move in a way that
mimicked a persons gaze

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Many of his films have twisted
endings and gripping plots that
features portrayal of violence,
murder and crime. Some of
these included:
Psycho
The birds
Rear window
Vertigo
To Catch a thief
Dial M for murder