Thriller Genre Conventions

1. Thriller Genre

2. Narrative
The way in which a story is told in both fictional and non-fictional texts.
A Bulgarian literary theorist named Ztvetan Todorov implies that most
narratives have a structure as shown.
This is the stage (commonly at the beginning)
where there is peace and normality. This can
be reflected through the Mise-en-Scene and
music which is usually calm to create an
every day atmosphere.
Disruption is then caused which destroys the
peace and normality. This takes up a large
part of the narrative where a number of
minor disruptions and resolutions take place
as well as the prime disruption which is left to
solve.
Resolution is where the long term goal of
resolving the main disruption that is weaved
throughout the film is completed.
Restored order is where the situation has
either been fully dealt with or is under control
so things can start to become better
A new equilibrium means that there are new
orders and some things will have changed
but a new normality is created.

3. Character Conventions
Some general character conventions in a thriller are;
 Hero (takes on the task at hand)
Villain (Opposes the hero)
Donor (Helps the hero by donating - often a special item)
Helper ( Assists and supports the hero)
Dispatcher ( Send off the hero)
Fake hero ( Poses as/assumes the role of the real hero)
Princess ( Usually the hero will save the victim of the villain, often
winning them over)

4. Sub - Genres
Thrillers are general films that are sensational and suspenseful, creating tension
and fearful excitement.
Action Thriller – more common in novels because it is easier to convey e.
Focuses on things like explosions and fight scenes.
Crime – Usually from the criminals point of view, more eluding of the police and
physical action takes place.
Disaster – Largely involves a natural disaster where the protagonist is either
trying to stop or save people from the disaster.
Conspiracy/Mystery – In this sub-genre the protagonist often works without much
help and usually has to confront a mastermind behind a large organisation of
criminal activity.
Eco-Thriller – Principally deals with a threat to the environment where the
protagonist needs to save a local or national catastrophe.

5. Existing Thriller Films
 Rebecca – Rebecca is a 1940’s American psychological- mystery thriller directed
by Alfred Hitchcock and produced by David. This film principally deal with a self-
conscious bride who is haunted and tormented by the memory of her husbands first
wife.
Seven – Seven is a 1995 American, neo-noir crime psychological horror directed
by David Fincher. It stars Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, John C.
McGinley, R. Lee Ermey and Kevin Spacey. Seven focuses on a retiring police
detective who has to deal with a serial killer, targeting people who supposedly
represents one of the seven deadly sins.
Mad Max: Fury Road – A 2015 post-apocalyptic action film directed and produced
by George Miller and written by Miller, Brendan McCarthy and Nico Lathouris. Mad
Max features a woman who rebels against a tyrannical ruler in order to get back to
her homeland with the help of a group of female prisoners, a psychotic worshiper,
and a drifter named Max.

6. Existing Thriller Films
Rebecca Mad Max: Fury Road