Conventions of the Thriller Genre Task 2.2

A thriller usually consists of a battle between the protagonist character and the antagonist when there is a disruption in the equilibrium. Then the story shows a chain of bad events building tension and suspense for the climax. The aim of the protagonist is to restore justice, while the antagonist seeks to destroy it. Thriller films usually include:

- low key lighting

- shadows
- tension music - building up
- diegetic sound of breathing
- quick/jump cuts
- black and white shots
- montage shots
- close ups
- silhouette
- cross-cutting
- dark clothing
- excitement

- investigation
- violence
- public services - police, army, government
- secretive

The protagonist is often a brave male an the antagonist will have a hidden identity that the audience uncovers as the film progresses. The storyline will be designed so that the audience will think that the events could possible happen to them making them more scared.