Conventions of a Thriller

There are lots of conventions (common elements) that can help separate and identify a thriller film against any other genre of film. After researching the thriller genre I have found that these are the conventions:

• The aim of the thriller genre is to create suspense as well as excitement for the audience.

• Thrillers often use busy environments such as high streets in busy cities like New York to create a rushed and exciting setting and environment. This gives the film a feeling of being very action-based.

• Tends to revolve around the investigation of an enigma creating a sense of mystery and the unknown throughout the film.

• The thriller genre tends to contain a lot of violence ad as a result a lot of thriller films are rated 15 and above however, this is not always the case.

• Often thrillers films revolve around governmental organisations such as the police or army.

• There is more likely to be a rational explanation to any mystery as oppose to a supernatural solution.

• Often the hero and the villain share similar characteristics in thriller films and often has the same or very similar aims.

• Tends to centre attention on injustice in society and seems to solve this in a lot of cases.

• Quick cutting camera work and camera angle changes are used in thriller films more often than not.

• Sound is inserted in places where the unknown is very prominent giving a sense of tension.

• Shadows, mirrors and stairs are often used in thriller films but not always. These give the films a spooky feeling but also create tension.

• Often characters are dark, ‘shadowy’ characters that are quite secretive.

• Props are used a lot to give added effect and the use of guns may be prominent in thriller films. 

The thriller genre can work well with many other genres to create joint genres such as comedy thrillers and drama thrillers. Depending on what the thriller genre is paired or grouped with can alter the conventions as they will be used to create different effects and therefore be used more or less. The settings that thriller films are set in can also alter things like lighting because it would be different depending on the environment and location. The thriller genre is fantastic and the different uses for the common elements can really help emphasise point within the films and improve them.