Conventions of Thriller Films- Miss Hartt

Conventions of thriller films

Dark shadows (low-key lighting) to hide the identities of characters and to create an enigma.
Tension to keep the audience glued to the screen. For example: Taken.
A hidden identity to keep the audience puzzled and intrigued. For example: Scream (Mask is worn).
Iconography such as guns, knives, ropes, chains etc. For example: SAW (Saw).
An antagonist. Usually the main enemy/villain/killer. For example: The Dark Knight (Joker).
A protagonist. The victim/ good guy. For example: Die Hard (John McClane).
A change in pace of music to show a major change in a scene. Slow paced music would be used to build suspense whereas fast paced music would be used to show a fight/chase/murder scene. For Example: Psycho.
A chase scene and a murder scene are used to thrill the audience.
An enigma is used to puzzle the audience and make them want to watch more of the film.
A thriller film is usually set in an unkown or mysterious place e.g. a warehouse, a forest/woods, a single house with no neigbours. For example: The Cabin in the Woods.
Fast editing is used to show a murder or a chase in order to change the pace of the scene. For example: Inception.
Slow editing is used to build up suspense by showing every single part of a scene until the climax.
Shock, Suspense and Surprise. Shock is used to instantly change the feelings/emotions of the audience. Suspense is used to prepare the audience for a shock. Surprise is used to throw the audience by showing the audience something that is unexpected.