Thriller Conventions

• The antagonist ensnares the protagonist in an increasingly complex web, until the protagonist feels isolated and helpless
• The narrative centres upon a crime e.g. theft, murder
• The protagonist is fallible and has an Achilles heel that is exploited
• Themes of identity are common - mistaken identity, amnesia, doubles/dopplegangers
• Themes of seeing reflections and mirroring - manipulation of perspective
• A series of enigmas are set up - only to be solved at the end
• The audience is placed in the position of "voyeur"
• The protagonist will be in danger
• The narrative presents extra-ordinary things in ordinary situations/settings
• The micro-elements are used to build suspense

• Crime - people going missing (Gone Girl, Taken, Flight Plan)
• Secrets to be revealed: NARRATIVE
• Suspension
• Collateral - female love interest
• Close-ups - emphasis on expressions
• Claustrophobic spaces - makes the audience hold their breath
• Diegetic sounds (verisimilitude) - realism and empathy
• Enigma - a mystery or puzzle: NARRATIVE
• Jump scares (physical response to a sudden change in sound or images): TECHNICAL ASPECT
• Emotional stimulation - fear, anger or confusion: AUDIENCE RESPONSE
• Sound effects - creates tension, a combination of diegetic and non-diegetic, incongruity: TECHNICAL ASPECT

Elements which transform a Thriller into a Horror film:

• Gore, blood
• Lack of mystery - little manipulation of information
• Amplification of sound effects and jump scares