I began with the genre itself - it was usually something broken into sub-genres, where the film or programme is mixed with other genres such as action or crime. Thrillers often create feelings of suspense, excitement, and anxiety, and often involves an element of mystery - lots of enigma code creates greater tension towards a big build up towards the end of the film.
Things commonly present in thriller films (conventions):
- Kidnappings
- Murder
- Obsession (psychological thrillers especially)
- Violence against women
- Narration
- Rain
- POV shots - to give the impression of an unstable antagonist
- Dramatic music
- Fast cutting
- Mental instability
- Enigma codes
- Scary locations (e.g. forest or asylum)
- Flashbacks/Non-linear narrative (e.g. Memento)
- Setting also generally in normal places, like cities, to give the film higher realism and make it easier for the audience to relate.
After I had researched the genre, I then decided to do some more background research into the types of characters that might be present in thrillers, both protagonist/antagonist-wise.
Characters commonly present:
- Criminals
- Police force/Detectives (e.g. Seven)
- Stalkers
- Innocent victims (particularly women: like in Propp's theory, the damsel in distress)
- Terrorists
- Male leads
- Serial Killers
I then collected a few names of some thrillers that I could use in my analysis so that I could get a proper feel for what is needed in thriller films.
Examples of thrillers:
- LOST (programme)
- Seven
- Memento
- Split
- The Girl on the Train
- Gone Girl
- Psycho
