This document discusses the narrative conventions and typical characteristics of thriller films and TV programs. Thrillers aim to create suspense and excitement through elements like fight scenes, chases, mysteries, and investigations set in urban environments. Protagonists are often the only ones who can solve the central mystery or enigma. Antagonists may share some traits with protagonists, adding complexity. Common sub-genres are action, comedy, crime, political, and psychological thrillers. Typical characters include protagonists, antagonists, sidekicks, henchmen, and leaders. Examples of popular thriller films and upcoming 2016 thrillers are also provided.

2. Narrative Conventions
• Aim is to create suspense and excitement for the audience.
• Fight scenes
• Chases
• Often set with busy streets and environment is usually urban or suburban areas.
• Often revolves around the investigation of an enigma (something
difficult/mysterious to understand).
• Conventionally, the protagonist in the film is the only one who can solve this
enigma and find the real truth.
• In the past, it is evident that violence has been a key feature within thriller films.
This violence then leads to the revealing of how the police or army use violence in
different ways;
– e.g. the police force, the army
• Often protagonist and antagonist, though they are opposites, share some similar
characteristics which add a level of complexity to the films/TV programmes within
the genre.
– For example Sherlock in the TV programme is seen as an outsider compared to the other detectives
due to his intelligence, and he also sometimes is seen as sharing some of the characteristics as his
enemies; for example Moriarti. However he is still morally good.

3. Sub-Genres
• Action Thriller
• Comedy Thriller
• Crime Thriller
• Political Thriller
• Technological Thriller (technology plays a big part)
• Psychological Thriller (mental and emotional conflicts before
resolution)
• Spy Thriller (protagonist is often government agent or
something similar
• Supernatural Thriller
– E.g. “Chronicle” directed by Josh Trank, “What Lies Beneath” by Robert
Zemeckis

5. Typical Characters
• Much like other genres the same kind of
characters appear:
– Protagonist/Hero/Main Character
– Antagonist/Villain/Enemy
– Sidekicks/chicks
– Henchmen (no emotional connection)
– Top Dogs (people who are in charge of the
antagonist)
– Extras

6. Examples of Thriller Films
Top 10 of all time: (IMBD)
1. Pulp Fiction (1994) by Quentin Tarantino
2. 8MM (1999) by Joel Schumacher
3. A History of Violence (2005) by David Cronenburg
4. American Gangster (2007) by Ridley Scott
5. Angel Heart (1987) by Alan Parker
6. Natural Born Killers (1994) by Oliver Stone
7. Awake (2007) by Joby Harold
8. Breaking News (2004) by Johnie To
9. Birthday Girl (2001) Jez Butterworth
10. Cellular (2004) by David R. Ellis
IMD’S opinion not mine, so don’t quote me.

7. Examples of Upcoming Thrillers in 2016
• London Has Fallen (sequel to Olympus Has Fallen) (looks great)
• The Circle
• Untitled (Matt Damon returns for a sequel to Jason Bourne’s collection)
• Now You See Me 2
• Jack Reacher 2 (looks great)
• The Girl on the Train
• The Purge 3 (yet another purge movie)
• Visions
• The Nice Guys
• Criminal
• The Last of Us (based off the film I believe, looks great)#
And many more…

9. Thanks for listening.