Research into Conventions

Research into Thriller Conventions

Each thriller film conforms with conventions to fit into the thriller genre and ensure the film is a success. Some conventions of the thriller genre include: low key lighting, an isolated/trapping setting, weaponry, an unidentified killer and eerie music which helps to build up tension. Within this essay I am going to be analyzing typical thriller conventions from "The Strangers".

 

Using weapons as iconography is a typical convention in every thriller film created. There is a focus on weapons as in most cases, they are usually associated with danger, blood and death. The use of any weapon keeps the audience on the edge of their seats waiting to see what will happen to the character in which they have built a relationship with throughout the film fearing for the character and what will happen to them next.

A typical convention of a thriller film is an unidentified antagonist. This is can be seen when the protagonist slides the curtain to the left of the window when a masked figure appears at the window. In this case the antagonist has used a bag/mask to hid his identity. Not only does the mask signify the killer wants to be unknown, it could also create a sense of foreboding as it is unknown to the audience what will happen next to the protagonist. Not only does the hidden identity of the antagonist create suspense, it also creates enigma which helps to make the killer seem mysterious and also creates a sense of mystery. In addition to this the audience will begin to empathize for the protagonist as the reasons are unclear why the unidentified killer is choosing to harm her as it could be an unprovoked attack.

Within this scene diegetic sound is used. This is when the record player begins to play itself. The sound being played is a repetitive eerie music which is a typical thriller convention. The sound begins to sound alot more eerie as the narrative reveals. This is to create tension and suspense which are key elements to create in the thriller genre. It creates tension and suspense as at some point the eerie music must come to an end, with the audience suspecting something or someone will jump out or somebody will get hurt, also fearing that something bad will happen to the protagonist.

Another typical convention of the thriller genre is an isolated/entrapping setting. Within "The Strangers" the protagonist is left alone in an isolated house in the middle of nowhere with nobody to help her and so far away that it would take a very long time for any emergency services to help her to safety. This is typical as it creates a sense of foreboding for that character as they have nowhere to go and the audience begin to fear for the protagonists safety as something/someone is clearly out to get her and harm her so the audience cant help but watch on to see what will happen next. 

Within this scene low key lighting is used. Low key lighting is conventional to thriller films because it helps to add suspense to the scene as it is unknown what could appear within the dark lighting and gives a sense of vulnerability to the character as they are defenseless with poor vision and could jeopardize their safety and endanger them. This makes the audience feel sympathy for the character as they can only imagine how the character must be feeling as the protagonist sits alone in a dark room not knowing what will happen next.

By researching typical thriller conventions this has helped me with ideas when I come to create my own thriller sequence. I will include many of the typical conventions such as low key lighting, eerie diegetic music, weapons and an unidentified killer. This will help to create the main key elements of a thriller such as shock, surprise and suspense to keep the audience on the edge of their seats and getting them to continue watching to know what will happen next.