https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_(genre)
Examples of thriller films:
Brief history of the thriller genre:
"Thriller is a genre of literature, film, video game stories and television programming that uses suspense, tension, and excitement as its main elements. Thrillers heavily stimulate the viewer's moods, giving them a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, surprise, anxiety and terror. Films of this genre tend to be adrenaline-rushing, gritty, rousing and fast-paced."
Alfred Hitchcock was an influential English film director, nicknamed 'The Master of Suspense' who produced one of the first thriller films (1920's-1930's). Hitchcock's first thriller film was made in 1926, it was a silent film, called 'The Lodger', it loosely followed a Jack the Ripper narrative and was filled with suspense. 3 years later, in 1929, Hitchcock produced the film 'Blackmail', it got extra credibility for being Britain's first film with sound.
The 1950's were the highest point of Alfred Hitchcock's career, as his thriller films lead him to his success. These films included:
Codes and Conventions of the thriller genre:
Typically...
- Low key lighting
- Quick cuts
- Shadows
- Tension music
- Changes in the angle of shots
- Diegetic sound of breathing
- Black and white shots
- Montage of shots
- Protagonist is in mercy of the Antagonist
Characters:
The protagonist is often the good guy, looking to seek an equilibrium. Often brave and determined.
The antagonist will usually have a hidden identity, which is revealed as the film progresses. His act of evil is often based on revenge.
Cinematography of a thriller:
-Lots of close ups& extreme close ups in order to show the viewer the emotion of the character or
guide them to looking at clues within scenes, this will help aid the narrative.
- Their is likely to be quick cuts to build tension or hide identities of characters, this helps keep mystery and suspense.
Editing:
Jump cuts will be very popular, in order to ensure the audience are keeping up with everything which is essential to make sense of the film. Cross cutting should be used as its vital to build the atmosphere of suspense. Continuous editing will also be used, to help show order and narrative to the film.
Sound in a Thriller:
Non-diegetic music will massively influence moods and set scenes which can help hint something foreboding will happen. It helps build up drama before the big event is going to happen and prepares and excites the audience. Diegetic music such as heavy breathing or heart beats helps add realism to the narrative and can often make the audience feel on edge.
Mise-en-scene:
-Location is important to help the audience establish the theme
-Low key lighting is more common to add to the thriller atmosphere that stuff could be lurking in the dark/shadows.
-Costumes, antagonist typically wears dark clothes and uses props such as masks to hide identity, protagonist is more likely to wear every-day clothes which are considered familiar and typical to the audience.
-Composition
-Make up and hairstyles
-Filmstroke; B&W, grainy, fine grain or colour
Whats the difference between the thriller and Horror genre?
An example of a thriller movie, 'sixth sense' demonstrates a series of plot twists that engages the audience to question why certain things happen within the film.
A horror film, such as, 'Nightmare on Elm street', is purely about violence, which leads to the blood and gore we expect to see. This scares us and creeps out the viewer.
Despite the popularity of this movie, it has little logic or psychological connection.
Both movies ultimately intend to scare you, but through different ways. A thriller will make you mentally question certain things were as a horror will make you jump and often scare you and give you nightmares.
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