What makes a Thriller Thrilling?

A thriller film conventionally has an exciting plot which intrigues the audience. For example, crime-thrillers would be exciting due to the mystery and suspense of whether the criminal will get caught. Psychological-thrillers are exciting because they build tension throughout due to you never knowing what could happen next because of the characters mental illness or the twisting plot line. Action is a key aspect of what makes a thriller thrilling as the idea of the main character being in danger is exciting and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Crime-thrillers are renowned for containing car chase scenes and horror-thrillers conventionally contain scenes which scare the viewer which increase adrenaline. Music is a key accompaniment to a thriller film as it tells the viewer how to react to a scene or how to feel during a scene.

Examples from- The Dark Knight (2008)
Examples from- Sin City: A Dame To Kill (2014)


Thriller Film Conventions

• Sound track with suspenseful/tense music
• Mystery
• Faced paced editing
• Special effects
• Cross Cutting
• Tension / suspense
• Plot Twist
• Protagonist in danger
• Cliff Hangers

Typical Audience Feeling for the 'Shutter Island' Trailer:

• Fear
• Suspense
• Nervous
• Anticipation
• Confusion
• Discomfort
• Scared
• Tense
• Curious
• Nerve Wracking
• Anxious
• Heart Pounding

Conventions of Thriller Films

• Opening clip before the title appears to add suspense
• Important film companies or actors names’ are usually shown at the beginning
• Tracking or pan shots are commonly used
• The main character is usually the first to be seen
• Dark lighting is commonly used for suspense and atmosphere
• Jump cuts are common when multiple things are happening or when a scene is at a climax
• One track of music (chosen because it suit’s the atmosphere of the whole film) is used throughout (like a theme song)
• Close up shots are commonly used for suspense
• The life of the main character is commonly threatened 
• Common themes are psychological, supernatural, crime, terrorism, political conspiracy and assassination

            Pulp Fiction (1994)                                                          Gravity (2013)

Notes of thriller genre (in reference to ‘Gangster Squad’)

• Dialogue to explain the general storyline of the film followed by Title
• Extreme long shot of LA to show setting
• Low angle views of feared characters to make viewer look up to them
• Low rumbling music inducing tension and suspense
• Naked bulbs (also in ‘Sixth Sense‘) for eerie atmosphere
• Jump cuts for action scenes
• Loved ones threatened 

(in reference to ‘The Bone Collector')

• Important production companies and actors before Title
• Clippings of newspapers papers and crime imagery
• Extreme long shot of New York to show setting
• Follow shot of eerie places (only lighting is torch)
• Birds eye view for dramatic effect
• Drag of a violin creates tension
• Extreme close up shots (intimate and revealing of emotion in the eyes)
• Loved ones threatened (also in ‘Gangster Squad’)
• Oblique shots throughout at suspenseful moments
• Tilted angle for ill man in bed (his point of view)
• Pathetic fallacy (Thunder storm)
• Dramatic choir-like music
• Jump cuts when things are climaxing
• Extreme zoom outs to a different scene further away