Characteristics of a thriller (conventions)

Conventions of a Thriller

Most thrillers use the basic theme that there is a Protagonist and an Antagonist. The protagonist is usually the 'good guy' and the Antagonist is the 'bad guy' who fights against the general aim of the thriller.

Violence and fighting are always key themes within the Thriller genre. The conflict would most likely be between the Protagonist and the Antagonist (mentioned above). This is due to the fact that the Protagonist and the Antagonist are against each other and usually have the complete opposite view and ways of looking at the situation they are facing. Batman and the Joker are great examples of the protagonist and the antagonist. The separation between the two characters is also their motivation and their idea of the perfect world. This is usually the case in most thriller movies and the violence between the two would not only show the passion over the situation but would also cause tension because, in most cases, the audience would be hoping for the protagonist to win the fight or the battle. Usually, in a thriller, the Protagonists life would depend on whether they defeat the antagonist or not.

Props are used such as guns, knives, nunchucks, and so on. this creates a sense of fear and if seen at the beginning of a thriller, would also forbode the future and hint that there will be violence and an Antagonist ready to fight against the Protagonist and attempt to stop the Protagonist completing or reaching the desired goal.

Commonly, there is a time limit or a restriction that seems to be unreasonably and challenging for the Antagonist. This would automatically create suspense and would usually end very close to the end of the timer. this would be a scene that would usually take place at the end of a thriller once the audience had built a greater understanding of the characters and the Protagonist and the Antagonist
A thriller would usually start slow-paced and then as the thriller progresses, the pace and the action and the suspense would increase. this could be portrayed in many ways but the main ways of portraying this are by sound and lighting.

Sound

As a thriller progresses, as stated above, the pace of it would increase. This can be done by the type of music played in the background of the thriller and the background noises that occur throughout.

A thriller would start off with slow-paced uptempo music. then as the thriller progresses, the music would get more violent.

The music would move at a faster pace and would start to get louder and more aggressive as more violence occurs and more conflict starts to take place.
Gunshots and loud noises would also create suspense and would indicate that the thriller is at its 'Peak'

Lighting

For example, a low hue and saturation would commonly be present in a thriller during the times where suspense wants to be created.

Having a low brightness is also a great way of creating suspense in thrillers due to the fact that the mystery it brings, would massively increase the suspense within.

There are many subgenres in the thriller genre

Aleve l- OS Max Hart