Codes and Conventions of Thrillers

Codes and Conventions of Thrillers

Editing and sound is very significant with a thriller film because these are the aspects of the film that create certain atmospheres and so, therefore, can increase tension. Achieving tension and suspense is the main goal with a thriller film. Editing in thrillers tends to vary; obtrusive editing and quick cuts can add a sense of urgency to a situation and disorientate the audience, which makes them feel on edge. Whereas slow, long cuts, elongates the sense of time and so the feeling of nervousness is drawn out of the audience for a longer period of time. This also helps to increase audience expectation and anticipation. Shadows are closely related and linked to low key lighting, they help create a sharp contrast between dark and light areas and make a scene seem very expressive and eerie. The shadows and lighting are often exaggerated by the use of black and white colour also because the darkness is accentuated. 

Another feature with conventions which help elaborate and create the thriller genre is cinematography. Cinematography outlines different camera angles and shots. In thrillers usually these camera shots and angles are used frequently and excessively. Fast transitions and a variety of angles make the audience aware of the situation the character is in but also increases tension. 

Sound also hold many conventions relating to the thriller genre. Sound is used to create suspense by having diegetic or non-diegetic eerie music playing throughout the scenes. High pitched sound is often used because it makes the audience uneasy and it almost foreshadows the oncoming events. 

Iconography and mise en scene is highly essential in thriller films because it indicates to the audience what type of film they are watching. Mirrors are often used in psychological thrillers; they can represent the darkness within some characters and the reflections indicate that a character might not be who they really and that they have two personalities. Other pieces of iconography in thrillers include confined spaces, bars on windows, streetlamps, weapons, tense music and perhaps urban settings. 

These key genre conventions are demonstrated very well in the shower scene of Hitchcock’s film “psycho”:

A quick cut montage of the Protagonist in the shower makes the time pass faster and so it seems as though she has been in there for a long time. Tension is building as the audience waits for something to happen. The angle of the camera keeps on changing as well, it makes clear that she is completely exposed and there is vulnerability all around her. This editing means it is a while before the antagonist actually enters the scene and so the audience’s anticipation is hyped up. With the use of framing, a wide shot is then used to allow the shower curtain to be visible, our protagonist is positioned in the bottom right hand corner and the silhouette of the killer enters on the left. The protagonist is facing away from the shower curtain and so dramatic irony occurs at this point. The woman cannot see the antagonist approaching but the audience can. The audience feel helpless and a bit guilty as they can do nothing to help. 

The musical score starts again as soon as the curtain is pulled back by the murderer, this is synchronised to make it more dramatic and surprising. Violins are used to make a high pitched screeching noise, it is an unpleasant sound for the audience and it makes them wince. The sense of terror is heightened also by the shocking scream of our protagonist; it shows an extreme close up of her mouth putting emphasis on her screaming but also elongating the collective sense of panic amongst the audience. The musical score then goes on to become pleonastic as it mimics the stabbing action produced by the murderer. The severity of the situation comes across as the low angle of the camera, incorporated with the score, makes the audience and the protagonist feel very small and threatened. The antagonist is made to look bigger and more intimidating, especially as he is holding the knife up high above his head, ready to strike. The antagonist obviously has more power that the protagonist does. 

Common themes found within the thriller genre include terrorism, supernatural events, assassination, political conspiracy, mind games, stalking, investigations, kidnappings, heists and revenge. The main characters are usually the protagonist, who is in a threatening situation that has been set up by the antagonist, who is initially cleverer/stronger than the protagonist. The protagonists may have felt they have hit rock bottom and they are portrayed to be the “underdog” who will never be heroic, however they always manage to prove themselves throughout the film as a lot stronger and brave-hearted than initially thought. 

Possibly the most controversial character of the thriller genre is the “Femme Fatale”, which is used to portray the main female role. The femme fatale is usually shown to be a lot more independent than most female roles, she is colder than and not as innocent as the audience may expect. This is not a traditional role for a female to play in a film of other genres; females are conventionally shown as being a lot more naive and less charming, the femme fatale is a very ambiguous role and often creates enigmas for the audience.