Codes and Conventions of Codes and Conventions of Thriller FilmsThriller Films

By Nathalie OsadaBy Nathalie Osada

Thriller films usually include:Thriller films usually include:

Dim lightingDim lighting A sense of violenceA sense of violence Eerie charactersEerie characters

The main character being in dangerThe main character being in danger A story plot which is designed to scare and A story plot which is designed to scare and

make the viewer think make the viewer think Sadomasochism Sadomasochism

Sadism Sadism

List of Thriller filmsList of Thriller films

Panic RoomPanic Room Memento Memento Hard CandyHard Candy Man on fireMan on fire Red EyeRed Eye

Flight planFlight plan PsychoPsycho

Example of Thriller openingExample of Thriller opening

Name of the institution e.g. DreamWorksName of the institution e.g. DreamWorks Name of the productionName of the production

Name of the director/producerName of the director/producer Name of the most famous actor/actress Name of the most famous actor/actress

starring in the thriller filmstarring in the thriller film Title of the Thriller Title of the Thriller

Examples of Thriller Openings Examples of Thriller Openings

Panic Room:Panic Room:

Institutional context at the beginning of the Institutional context at the beginning of the openingopening

Eire music is then introduced, which starts to Eire music is then introduced, which starts to build the tension build the tension

The location is established (Times Square New The location is established (Times Square New York)York)

The characters are introduced The characters are introduced

Examples of Thriller OpeningsExamples of Thriller Openings

Red eye:Red eye:

Institutional context (DreamWorks)Institutional context (DreamWorks) Creepy musicCreepy music

Establishes actors/actresses names, special effect used Establishes actors/actresses names, special effect used makes the audience feel like they are being pulled into makes the audience feel like they are being pulled into

the filmthe film Title of the film is shownTitle of the film is shown

Establishes character, however there is a sense of Establishes character, however there is a sense of mystery surrounding her and the locationmystery surrounding her and the location