Genre Research

Genre Research

Thriller films are types of films known to promote intense excitement, suspense, a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, anxiety, and nerve-wracking tension. They can also be hybridised with other genres. A subgenre is where the thriller film would be mixed with one other genre however a hybrid is where it is mixed with two or more genres.

Thrillers generally keep the audience on the "edge of their seats" as the plot builds towards a climax. The cover-up of important information from the viewer is a common element and the film is usually a villain-driven plot, whereby he or she presents obstacles that the protagonist must overcome.

When the genre 'thriller' is mentioned one of the first names that comes to mind is the one and only Sir Alfred Hitchcock. He was an English film director and producer who was renowned for his ingenious use of suspense and gripping psychological thrillers including 'Psycho' and 'Vertigo'. His techniques included using camera movement to mimic a person's gaze and also framing shots to maximise anxiety, fear and empathy. It was for these techniques and his incredible thrillers that he claimed the title of 'England's best director' and his work is still enjoyed by millions to this day.

The foundations of the thriller genre date back to the early 1920-30s when Alfred Hitchcock introduced his first film 'The Lodger'. Conventions of the genre were first introduced here including gripping plots and moments of extreme tension followed by a climax. These conventions are still used in the more common thriller films like 'Jason Bourne'. The thriller genre took a huge step forward in the 1950s when Alfred Hitchcock introduced technicolour to his thrillers so they were no longer in black and white which made them much more visually interesting. Finally, in the 1970-80s the thriller genre began to fuse with the horror genre and now to this day the two genres are both linked very close together. Some of the great horror thrillers include 'The last house on the left' and 'The silence of the lambs'.

Some of the main conventions of the thriller genre include:

• A battle between a protagonist and antagonist which includes a chain of bad events and eventually a climax.
• Plenty of fast paced editing and excessive use of close-ups to show emotion or focus on a particular object.
• Editing techniques such as cross cutting and jump cuts to allow continuity and create suspense.
• Music that starts with a slow tempo and gradually builds up to increase tension.
• Low key lighting accompanied by use of shadows and quick cuts to obtain identity and create mystery.
• Use of confined spaces to make the characters feel isolated or trapped and make the audience feel concerned for their safety.