Conventions of the Thriller Genre

Thriller is a broad genre of literature, film and television, having numerous subgenres. Thrillers are characterized and defined by the moods they elicit; giving viewers heightened feelings of suspense, excitement, surprise, anticipation and anxiety.

Conventions of the thriller genre

Quick cuts

Shadows

Digetic and non- Digetic sound

Low key lighting

Close-ups/ extreme close-ups

Within a thriller genre there is always a protagonist and an antagonist. The protagonist often tries to reinstate the equilibrium however the antagonist does the opposite, which is challenging the equilibrium. The storyline is created to ensure that the audience can consider the fact that they could be subjected to it also, making them feel uneasy and therefore builds tension. The setting of a thriller is one of the key aspects of this genre because it sets the scene and contributes in the audiences’ ideology of the film. Props, such as lighting also is significant because it’s easier to distinguish the genre, for example low key lighting suggests that there is a dark atmosphere and enigma within the storyline. Sounds are also very common within a thriller because it creates several moods that affect the audience. Fast pace music is included to add excitement and suspense. Body language and facial expressions can be noticed in a thriller due to certain camera angles. By incorporating different camera angles is encourages the audience to study more of the film.