Forms and Conventions of Thrillers

• The story is usually told in first person narrative.
• Thrillers normally have more than one storyline, this is the reason for them having more characters and so many answers.
• Storylines in thrillers are usually combined. This is done to confuse the viewer and make them pay attention so that the plot can be followed more clearly.
• Flashbacks are commonly used in thrillers, these will normally occur at the start or end of the film to reply events that have happened, but can occasionally happen throughout the film.
• Thrillers usually contain plot twists, these can include irony endings and intelligent storylines.
• The main elements of thrillers are tension, excitement and suspense.
• Usual characters include: criminals, stalkers, assassins, victims (innocent or not) and characters who have dark pasts, or are psychotic individuals, terrorists, cops and private eyes.
• Some of the thriller sub-genres are the: Crime thriller, Disaster thriller, Mystery thriller, psychological thriller and religious thriller.
• Some other conventions of a thriller genre would be quick cuts, camera angle changes, music that gives tension, lighting that gives effects such as shadows and sound effects that add drama and tension