The Thriller genre and Thriller productions
Sub-Genres:
Thriller Genre -
The thriller genre is a category of fiction that entails a series of excitement, suspense, and highmelodrama. THe main characteristics of the thriller genre usually comprise of a lone protagonist or small group of heroes being pursued by an overriding quest or objective. There is an impending threat of death or capture, and clever plot twists usually complicate the matter and are created to overthrow the normailities of the audience's expectations. Thrillers appear in virtually every form of narrative and sometimes include elements of science fiction, mystery, or horror.
Productions fo the thriller genre have employed suspense and adventure to thrill and captivate their audiences. The advent of print media, followed by the new storytelling technologies of the 20th century, allowed for a wide diversification of subjects, formats, and genres in fiction.
Thriller Sub-genre Description
Crime Thriller
This subgenre focuses on crime, and is usually from the criminal’s point of view. Physical action and eluding the police take the place of gathering evidence and trying to discover the criminal.
Action Thriller
Take any other thriller subgenre, give it’s defining elements a back seat, and focus on the action, and you have an action-thriller. This is more common in movies than novels because of the visual appeal of explosions and violence.
Conspiracy Thriller
In this subgenre the protagonist must confront a large, powerful organization whose threat only he sees. Usually he must do so alone.
Disaster Thriller
In this subgenre a (usually) natural disaster is taking place, and the antagonist is either trying to stop the disaster, the extent of the disaster, or just save themselves before time runs out and the disaster has run its course.
Legal Thriller
This subgenre takes place in and around the courtroom. Usually the protagonist is a lawyer who has found their case threatening death for either them or their client.
Medical Thriller
This subgenre involves something usually used for medical purposes becoming a deadly weapon. Often it is a virus that is leaking out to the public. The protagonist or antagonist or both are doctors.
Mystery Thriller
This is a subgenre of both mysteries and thrillers. It differs from a regular mystery by being much more fast-paced, with the protagonist on the run and the threat of another crime serving as the “ticking clock.”
Political Thriller
In this subgenre political relations or the whole government is at stake, and the protagonist is employed by the government to stop the decline. The protagonist may have been low-level before having attracted attention.
Psychological Thriller
A personal favorite. In this subgenre a lot of the conflict is mental, rather than physical. The protagonist has become involved in a dangerous situation which literally threatens their sanity. They must use mental prowess to overcome their opponent, whether the battle is inside their own head or it a battle of wits.
Romantic Thriller
This is a subgenre of both thrillers and romantic novels. The plot line follows a typical thriller’s tension, suspense, and excitement, but a main element is the growing relationship between two characters.
Supernatural Thriller
In this subgenre otherworldly elements are introduced, usually as an antagonistic force, but just as in the romantic thriller, the plot line and feel or distinctly that of thrillers. Some characters may have psychic abilities and other supernatural novel elements may be present.
Techno-Thriller
This genre is a cross between near-future science fiction and thrillers. Cutting-edge technology plays an important role, either as something to obtain, or working for or against the protagonist.
Inspirational Shots:
I have chosen these shots because they all use a variety of codes and camera angles to create a dramatic effect that is typical of Thriller productions.
Arlington Road (3). The use of the extreme close-up shot of the character's face exaggerates the change in emotion that is portrayed by her expression. This shows a reactionary response that wouln't be noticeable with typical mid shots, emphasising the importance of this change. It emphasises the look of pain and the 'fake' outlook towards her happiness, whilst also connoting a sinister and tense feeling towards this character; creating her as a villainous figure. I have used close-up shots in my production to create the same effect of a disturbing revelation of emotions.
Arlington Road (2). This medium close-up shot of the male character running creates the effect of a fast-paced, dramatic movement; typical of action Thrillers. It exaggerates his scared expression, whilst also showing him feeling; a stereotypical representation of the protagonists in Thrillers. I think this is effective as it creates suspense whilst also making the reader sympathise and react to the character's actions. I have used this in my production when the protagonist is being chased.
American Beauty. The medium close-up shot but from a birds eye view creates the effect of viewing the character from the persepctive of being on top of her; sexualising the character and also making the reader feel personalised with the storyline, as its shot from our point of view. The contrast between the deep red and the paleness of her skin makes the character stand out, whilst also connoting lust, passion and a sense of danger. I think this is effective as it is using engima codes to portray emotions and foreseeing events before they happen; creating suspense.
Typical Conventions of the Thriller genre, and Theorists related to Thriller movies
Thriller conventions and Theorists:
Other Texts: Click image to get the individual pages
Inspirational Directors of Thrillers:
Sir Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980) -
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English Film Director and Producer
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Iconic in creating suspense and tension; defning the Thriller Genre
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Pioneered many techniques such as fast-paced editing, hgh angled shots etc.
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He has a distinctive and recognisable directional style
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He was famous for thrilling ends, plot twists, violence and murder
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He created the use of camera movement to make the readers engage with the characters
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Famous films include Vertigo, and Psycho
David Andrew Leo Fincher (1962-) -
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American Film and Music Director
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Well known for dark, menacing and dramatic Thrillers
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''One of the most innovative Directors of today''
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famous for use of low angles, dark colour schemes, enigma codes an 'happy endings'
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Famous films include Panic Room and Seven
