THRILLER

GENRE
CODES AND CONVENTIONS

What is a
thriller?

An exciting and intense battle between the

protagonist and antagonist due to a disruption that
involves the two characters, the protagonist usually
wins. Blood, violence and perhaps abnormal amounts
of deaths are included so that the intense and sinister
tones are kept consistent throughout the film.

Basic
Conventions

Strong use of chiaroscuro, dark lighting in

contrast to light with shadows etc.
Quick straight cuts
High angles and low angles
Various changes in camera shots
Different effects (e.g. black and white)
Diegetic sound of screams, cries, breathing
etc.
Tense music to put audience on edge.
The protagonist is often a brave, strong male
whos aims to restore what has been
destroyed.
The antagonist is often hidden and is
revealed slowly as the film progresses.

Mise-en-scene

Lighting, low key with strong shadows etc.

Costumes, Protagonist is often in ordinary
everyday clothes to reinforce the idea that
theyre normal people like the audience. The
antagonist are often dressed in dark and
depending on what sort of antagonist they
are, e.g. a suit or smartly dressed if theyre
powerful/ a leader of some sort, or in
futuristic clothing if the plot is set in the
future.
The make-up and hair will depend and
match with the characters costumes to
reinforce who they are to the audience.
Props- weapons, an object specifically for a
character etc.
Compositions

Sound

Soundtrack and music- Tense and sinister to

create a build-up for the audience
Foley- to exaggerate sounds that will remind
the audience that it is a thriller.
Ambient sounds- such as screaming,
scratching, breathing etc. so that the
suspense is built further.

Editing

The shot lengths will vary on what is going

on in that moment of the film, e.g if the
protagonist has dominance over the
antagonist, they will receive longer shot
times than the weaker character so that the
viewers know that theyre stronger.
Crosscutting is used to include parts that
perhaps dont make sense to the viewers but
is essential for the plot of the film

Cinematography

Close-ups, extreme close-ups to

show emotions, and to focus on
props to hint clues to the audience.