Research: what is a thriller?

 what is a genre?

In film theory a genre is best defined as a set of patterns/forms/styles/structures which excel into different into individual films. Stereotypically this is a way of guaranteeing that the resulting film appeals to the fans of that one particular genre. A genre does not rely simply rely on a media text, its more about how common conventions are constructed; this is extremely important for example when comparing a thriller and a horror for example a horror would make the audience feel as if the audience is in a non-naturalistic environment however a thriller sticks to reality.

examples of genres...
-comedy
-action
-horror
-thriller
-sci-fi

-indie

-family

-crime

-romance

what is a thriller?

Thriller Film is a genre that revolves around fearful excitement and suspense. The aim for thrillers is to keep the audience alert and on the edge of their seats. The protagonist in these films is set against a problem an escape, a mission, or a mystery. No matter what sub-genre a Thriller film falls into, it will emphasize the danger that the protagonist faces. The tension with the main problem is steadily built on throughout the film and leads to a highly stressful climax. in every thriller there would usually be a protagonist, antagonist, a female or male as a victim and children or elderly people may be involved.          


Examples of thrillers...

Title
sin city

Genre
thriller

Sub-genre
action
crime

narrative

Frank millers comics are brought to life in one movie; The film is divided into 4 chapters. the first is 'The hard goodbye' a man who embarks on a brutal rampage in order to find his sweetheart's killer. Second is 'The big fat kill' focuses on a street war between a group of prostitutes and a group of mercenaries, the police, and the mob. The third chapter, 'that yellow bastard' follow an aging police officer who protects a young women from a strangely disfigured serial killer and also .The intro and outro of the film are based on the short story "The Customer is Always Right", which is collected in Booze, Broads & Bullets, the fifth book in the comic series.

why is it a thriller?

Throughout the film it is modified into a black and white non-naturalistic comic so it appears to be uncanny. It is also constantly set at night every situation happens at that time as if everyone is only awake at that time. Each character has a background story something realistic. The main protagonist is a deformed serial killer who can sneak up on literally anyone without making a sound and kill someone without leaving a mark which is the most creepiest thing about the movie I my opinion. It’s an unusual thriller because in the first chapter it involves a thug with a broken heart; you’d think the thug would be the protagonist but it’s the other way around.

Title

The dark knight

Genre
Thriller

Sub-genre
Action

Narrative

The dark knight is based on the dc comics' character batman. In this sequel batman works alongside with the police force and Gotham city's new hero Harvey dent in order to capture a criminal mastermind, the joker.

Why is it a thriller?


It is classified as a thriller so conventionally there should be a protagonist with a dark side which is 'the joker'  who is one of batman’s main enemies. The film begins with the joker leading a raid of a bank. From analysing the sound in the opening sequence, you can immediately tell that it's going to hold suspense from the music automatically setting you into a natural thriller feeling. Most of the scenes involving the joker are set at night to show he's isolated from civilization. A typical protagonist would normally have a troubled childhood, at point in the movie he mentions how he likes to see the world suffer  i can infer that he may have been treated badly in the past and he feels as though everyone must feel his pain. 

Narrative

The dark knight is based on the dc comics character batman. In this sequel batman works along side with the police force and Gotham city's new hero Harvey dent in order to capture a criminal mastermind, the joker.

Why is it a thriller?


It is classified as a thriller so conventionally there should be a protagonist with a dark side which is 'the joker'  who is one of batman’s main enemies. The film begins with the joker leading a raid of a bank. From analyzing the sound in the opening sequence, you can immediately tell that its going to hold suspense from the music automatically setting you into a natural thriller feeling. Most of the scenes involving the joker are set at night to show he's isolated from civilization. A typical protagonist would normally have a troubled childhood, at point in the movie he mentions how he likes to see the world suffer  i can infer that he may have been treated badly in the past and he feels as though everyone must feel his pain.

sub genres


fast and furious

main genre...
-action


saw

main genre...
-horror


Common conventions of a thriller

• low key lighting
• shadows, obtrusive editing
• quick cuts
• changes in camera angle
• tension music
• stairs
• flashbacks
• use of photographs black and white
• disorientation of time and space
• montage editing
• antagonist

Mirrors are used as a convention of a thriller film through the use of reflection of one’s soul and inner self Mirrors represent the darkness within some characters. An example is ‘Mirrors’ directed by Alexandré Aja.

Shadows are closely related with low key lighting and are used as a convention of a thriller film They are used to represent the inner darkness within beings, and can also add to tension and eeriness that is created.

 Obtrusive Editing Quick shots and obtrusive editing are used frequently in thriller films to accentuate the feelings of suspense and tension They are often used during an important or particularly ‘thrilling’ scene – sometimes creating a disorientation of time and space, by using montage editing.

Flashbacks contribute to a sense of time and space disorientation in a thriller and this confuses the audience It is also a convention of a thriller film because it can display what has happened in the past to give the audience an insight into characters’ pasts An example is in ‘Momento’ by Christopher Nolan.

Black and White Black and white is another of the conventions of a thriller, because it accentuates the use of shadows, and can often appear quite eerie and ‘dark’. An example is ‘sin city’ by Frank Miller.