Codes & Conventions of a Psychological Thriller

1. Codes & Conventions of a
Psychological Thriller

2. Famous Films

3. Iconography

4. Martin Scorsese
Alfred Hitchcock
Gregory Hoblit
David Fincher
David Lynch
Key
Directors

5. Themes
Psychological thrillers tend to follow certain
themes which is the centre of the story. Some of
them as follows are:
• Death
• Reality
• Identity
• Existence
• Purpose

6. Conventions of a psychological thriller
• Low Key lighting- shadows to create fear/tension.
• Quick edits & changes in camera angle- increase the feeling
of fear and shock. Often used during significant scenes.
• Music- high tension, eerie, silence.
• Flashbacks- time disorientation confusing the audience or
showing the past to give an insight into why the characters
are the way they are.
• Chiaroscuro- increase effectiveness of shadows.
• Claustrophobic spaces- entrapment of the mind, planes or
house.
• Font/colour of title- may be written in a certain way to
emphasise the theme of the film.