Thriller Conventions

In order to under-go the making of our film we had to establish the conventions of a Thriller. Thriller conventions are simply the common elements or factors that create or allow a Thriller to be what it is.

1. Crime at the core of the narrative (often a murder).
2. Complex narrative structure, false paths, clues and resolutions.
3. Narrative pattern of establishing enigmas which the viewer expects to be resolved.
4. A protagonist (main character in a film or story) who is systematically dis-empowered and drawn into a complex web of intrigue by the antagonist (a character that is against the protagonist).
5. Extraordinary events happening in ordinary situations.
6. Themes of identity.
7. Themes of mirroring.
8. Themes of voyeurism (looking).
9. Protagonist with a 'flaw' which is exploited by the antagonist.
10. Titles often reflect an aspect of the pro/antagonist psychological state.
11. There is often a scene near the end of the film in which the protagonist is in peril.
12. Mise-en-Scene which echoes/mirrors the protagonists plight.