Conventions of a Thriller genre

Thrillers are normally easy to spot and  analyse because they often have various pieces of iconography associated with them.  Iconography simply means symbolic representations,especially the conventional meanings attached to an image or images.Iconography is very important as it is part of the mise-en-scene and therefore helps to purposely give out certain messages to the viewers.

There are certain elements to a thriller which helps to distingquish them from other genres.The genre thriller includes,a huge variety of many different films.However it is possible to notice some similar traits and characteristics which they have in common.For example:

• Thrillers are aimed to  excite (thrill) the viewers ,they are usually tense and they create suspense for the viewer.
• The setting is usually in rural or urban areas.
• Normally there is a mystery or a puzzle and the narrative revolves around the investigation of it.
• The mystery of the narrative will  be solved by the end of the film.
• The hero is the only person in a thriller who reveals the entire truth and solves the mystery. 
• By  the end of the film,the mystery of the narrative will be solved.
• Rather than a supernatural explanation of the mystery,the explanation of the puzzle will be reasonable/sensible.
• It often shows the audience insights of how different  institutions work ,such as, the police,medics,the army or government.The thriller centres on injustices from within  society but it solves these wrongs.
• Violent crime is almost vital (It is central)
• The hero is normally very mysterious and secretive.Often an outsider and different from the other characters,often no real family but generally moral.
• Even though the Villain and hero are enemy's they do share some traits/characteristics.
• A thiller  usually climaxes when the hero/protagonist finally defeats the antagonist.
• Typically in thrillers there are two detectives or collegues working together to solve a mystery.

In thrillers music is essential as it creates tension which is aimed at the viewer.Often in thrillers the camera angle changes at a fast pace to add mystery and extra tension to the film.Another convention in a thriller is the use of low key lighting,the use of black and white which bring a more dark and sinister atmosphere to the film,the black and white in films are often used to exagerrate lighting and shadow.The use of lighting is so important as it helps to create shadows which add that extra mystery and spookiness to the film.Flashbacks are often used in films to remind the viewer of what is going on and it helps to make them think and question things.