Conventions of a thriller

Conventions of a Thriller

Each thiller film has some things in common and these things are what we call the genre coventions and these are themes and characters in the film that can be noticed in most films in that genre. The GIF's bellow are a selection of screenshots from thriller films and they show the conventions in that film. 

City Setting

The pictures in this GIF come from: The Inside Man, Olympus Has Fallen and London Has Fallen. These films are obvious examples of a thriller film being set in the city. This is effective in Thrillers because the audience will be surprised that the film is taking place in this location.

 

Heros

The pictures featured in this GIF are from: San Andreas, Sicario and Godzilla (2014). Most thriller films have heros in them as they are the ones who go and solve the puzzle or mystery of the film. This is effective in a Thriller because it gives the audience someone to support throughout the course of the film.

Low Key Lighting

These pictures come from: Taken, Sicario and Batman. Low key lighting are a must for thriller films because they give the suspense needed to thrill the audience. This is effective in a Thriller because it will make the audience want know what is going to happen with the character and they will find out what personality their character will have.

 

Solving the puzzle (the ending)

These pictures come from: Godzilla, Sicario and Now You See Me. In most thrillers that don't have a cliffhanger have an ending where everything is solved and revealed making the audience have a sense on closure. This is effective because the audience a reason to watch the rest of the film because they want to know what is going to happen.

The Costume

These pictures come from: Fast and Furious 7, Now You See Me 2 and Godzilla. The costumes that are used in most thrillers are seen to be quite casual and nothing out of the ordinary. This is effective because it tells the audience that it could happen to any of them because they are wearing clothes that they might wear.

The Villains

These pictures come from: Terminator Genesis, Now You See Me 2 and Sicario. Most heroes need someone to fight or go against to solve the problems and the villains fit that slot. This is effective because it gives the audience someone to root against. Also it gives the film meaning because if there is no villain there is no hero and therefore there is no story to tell. 

The Time of Day

These pictures come from Sicario, Terminator Genesis and Godzilla. The main time of day that traditional thrillers are set in is the night because surprises and thrills can be even better because it takes place at this time. This is effective because it add suspense to the film as the audience can't see everything that is happening so they will be easily surprised.

Weapons

These pictures come from Terminator Genesis, Godzilla and James Bond: Specter. If the film is meant to have thrills then violence and weapons is one of the first things that are considered because so many things can happen with them. This is effective because it could either the give an advantage to the hero or villain so it will then spice up the film.