Thriller

Scary

Danger

Suspense

TensionExcitement

anticipation

TerrorFast paced

Surprise

uncertainty

A thriller is usually a ‘Villain-driven plot’, whereby he or she presents

obstacles that the protagonist must overcome. A person, thing or

experience that thrills.

Adrenaline-Rush

AnxietyRousing

Gritty

My personal experienceIn this slide I will be describing and analysing the theme ‘Thriller’ and showing everything I know about

this topic. Firstly I will explain what I know from my point of view…

• What I first think about when the topic thriller comes up?• - Firstly, I think of Michael Jackson Thriller music video and the song. Secondly I

think of certain thrilling movies, which include creating tensions whilst watching a movie and also gore and death.

• Why?• Because Michael Jackson is a very well known musician and his work is known very

well around the world, I also believe that he was an example of my first experience of encountering a type of thriller genre with the music video of thriller.

• This is because Michael Jackson directors used the common characteristics of a thriller and from this music video I began familiarizing myself with what characteristics belong in a thriller.

What is a Thriller?!

• Many people believe that a thriller is a genre which is present in films, cinemas, real life experiences or in theater. These are probably the main area where Thriller is present and this is where it does its job in entertaining people, especially in films.

• A thriller provides a sudden rush of emotions, excitement and exhilaration which has an effect on keeping the audience on “The edge of their seat”. As the plot builds up climax it almost always leaves a scene on a cliff-hanging scenario, leaving the audience in awe.

• Using Cliff-hangers and misleading the audience towards false conclusion and using Plot twist are you used in thrillers extensively.

Subgenres

• 1 Psychological Thrillers:

Focus on the unstable emotional states of characters, with a combination of mystery and thriller.

Characters are no longer reliant on physical strength to overcome their brutish enemies (which is often the case in typical action-thrillers), but rather are reliant on their mental resources, whether it be by battling wits with a formidable opponent or by battling for equilibrium in the character's own mind. The suspense created by psychological thrillers often comes from two or more characters preying upon one another's minds, either by playing deceptive games with the other or by merely trying to demolish the other's mental state.

2. Crime Thrillers• This can either be a realistic portrayal of real life criminal activity or, far fetched

of evil doings of imaginary arch villains. The films focus on the lives of criminals, which are glorified to the audience for entertainment purposes, how could ironically be disturbing because of the realistic link there is to reality.

• Films dealing with crime and its detection are often based on plays rather than novels.

• 3. Mystery Thrillers• Plot often centers around the confidence of the detective to unravel a mystery of

a criminal situations by piecing together clues and circumstances, seeking evidence, interrogating witnesses and tracking down a criminal

• Suspense is very important here and it could b highlighted by emphasizing ‘Camera Angles’, ‘Sound Tracks’, ‘Heavy Shadows’ and ‘Plot Twists’.

4. Action thrillers

• Fast paced• Chasing scenes, a lot of explosions and action• A lot of violent scenes which mostly includes

guns• Villains are made extremely obvious• An example is “The Dark knight”

5. Horror thriller• Element of fear• Villain has power• A lot of build up in tension and suspense• Disturbing mentally, physically, and emotionally• Victim is almost most likely to be a female (damsel in distress)• Conflict between main characters• Often takes place in exotic locations• Villains are almost always strong characters status wise, high position in

society, or are ‘larger than life’, out of this world and unordinary (Aliens)• An example is a recent film called “carry”.

6. Erotic thriller

- Erotic thriller is a combination of both thriller and erotic. It progressed and became popular in the 1980s, and these types of films have been very famous in North America. - These kinds of films are mostly full of revenge, murder, mystery and a form of disturbed love and deception.- An example of an erotic thriller is “Basic Instinct”

7. Torturing thrillers

• Tends to take ages for characters to die• A sense of agony and pain throughout• Lack of hope, no way out situations• Gruesome, bloodcurdling scenes• Twisted villains, taking pleasure from their

torture, sadistic characteristics• An example is the movie “Saw”

Spy Thrillers

• Generally a government agent who seeks to make things right again

• A strong, typically male character as the hero• Advanced gadgets and weapons used• An example is “James bond 007”

Techno-Thrillers- Techno-thrillers are generally from science fiction, thrillers, spy, action and war. There is an inclusion of a disproportionate amount of technical details on its subject matter- Typical use of military

technology- Unrealistic, and very imaginative

and exaggerated.- An example is “Jurassic Park”

Main characters of a thriller

Characters include; -CriminalsStalkers Assassins Innocent victims (often on the run) Menaced womenCharacters with deep dark pasts Psychotic individualSpree killersSociopathsAgentsTerrorists Cops and escaped cons Private eyes People involved in twisted relationshipsWorld-weary men and women Psycho-fiends

David FincherDavid Fincher is an American film director and was nominated ‘ Academy award for best director’. He has directed ten movies with the genre being ‘Thrillers’. David flincher has a variety of thrilling movies like “The girl with the dragon tattoo” and “Zodiac” being crime thrillers, whereas “Seven” being a psychological thriller. He has directed very successful movies in the film making industry, however there is a great contrast as he also directed music videos such as “express yourself” and “Vogue” by Madonna. He is a very diverse director as he has been director in many more other genres.

With these three posters for the films the similarities are that there is a constant use of a medium close up of the characters face, a dark almost black background and red text or image. This consistent house-style with the features of the poster is obviously successful as there is a consistent template which visually definitely is affective. The shadowed faces creates a sense of mysteriousness and intensity Thriller Films:-Gone girl-Gravity-This is zodiac-Zodiac-Girl with the dragon tattoo-November-Panic room-The game-Seven-Alien 3