Thriller Films – Codes and Conventions 7-6-16

Genre- defined by its codes and conventionsAll films of a genre share generic conventions

Key New VocabularyIDEOLOGY – idea, messages, valuesICONOGRAPHY – key objects (props!)

Going against conventions in a film keeps it interesting, (variation) and brings in a new audience.

Definition of a thriller film (James Patterson, June 2006)- create intensity of emotions – apprehension, exhilaration, excitement, breathlessness:

create thrill

Thriller films are much less violent than horrors: they are more suggestive of violence and aim to be intriguing by often having a complex storyline. The idea of the thriller is that there is a thrill or surprise that the audience don’t see coming to create an unexpected ending.

Thriller films- use suspense, tension and excitement- have an atmosphere of menace, violence (suggestive), crime and murder- society is seen as dark and corrupt and dangerous- literary devices such as plot twists, red herrings and cliff hangers are used