What is a thriller?

Here are some of the codes and conventions of thriller movies. In thriller films there are usually physical threats which may be the antagonist. There also usually tends to be low-key lighting to keep the audience interested in the movie. There sometimes tend to be cliffhangers but they tend to be in TV series. There also may be quick cuts to enhance suspense. Thrillers will have more than one killing in the film which differentiates it from a horror film as there tends to be one big killing. These are all in thriller films some examples of thriller films that contain these conventions are Se7en and The bone collector.

Thriller analysis

Crime sub-genre analysis

Investigators as the costume of the characters gives it away so investigating muder/serious situation
Low-key lighting which is exclusive to all thriller sub-genres
Weaponry is seen in this trailer particularly a variety of different ones (Types of knives, blades and guns)
Multiple murders involved to highlight antagonist is very dangerous
A lot of black and red used which could be used to signify violence and death
Clues such as evidence are given through the whole of the trailer leading to person committing the crimes but the antagonist is never revealed
Forensic equipment

Physicological sub-genre analysis

Happens to ordinary people which is given away by formal clothing
Setting both seems to happen at the characters house
Violence involved
Climax usually happens during the start of the film trailers
Low-key lighting which is generic for all thriller sub-genres
Romantic relationships involved in these film trailers
A lot of quick cuts suggesting that it all happened so quickly

Spy/Action sub-genre analysis

Clear male antagonist
Low-key lighting
Weaponry
In high government authorities MI5
Quick cuts
Suspense
Police
Urban setting

Erotic sub-genre analysis

Quick cuts throughout the trailer
Romance involved in these trailers
No clear antagonist
Not that much weaponry involved
Home setting
The main people are ordinary people
Affair and there is a reason for it

Contained sub-genre analysis

Some type of gang or crew who are trying to kill these people
These trailers are set in a urban setting
Low-key lighting throughout both of these trailers
Guns involved in both of these trailers
Technology heavily involved such as cameras and the use of hacking phones
Has suspense in it as well
Traditional representations of gender also

Conspiracy sub-genre analysis

Low-key lighting which is exclusive to all thriller sub-genres
Weaponry is seen in this trailer particularly a variety of different ones (Types of knives, blades and guns)
A lot of black and red used which could be used to signify violence and death
Lot of mystery
Female + Male protagonist
Set during later times when the sky is dark

Medical sub-genre analysis

Low-key lighting which is exclusive to all thriller sub-genres
Weaponry is seen in this trailer particularly a variety of different ones (Types of knives, blades and guns)
Multiple murders involved
Police/army involved
Always a dark tint to give more emphasis that this is the "end"

Analysing film openings

The thriller films that I have analysed is called Physco, The net and power room

Summary

Doing this research has helped me a lot with understanding the thriller genre and all the codes of conventions that are in this genre and will help with when we create our opening of a thriller film as we know what we have to put in, to create a thriller film.

These conventions are some of the things I have learnt when creating a thriller film and as we keep referring back to our research will allow us to create a good thriller opening of our own as it has everything we need to create our own thriller opening.