Conventions of a Thriller

Conventions of a Thriller

There are many conventions of thrillers which we see in the majority of thriller films, although these are not specifically rules, they do define the thriller film genre. However, some thriller films do disregard some of these conventions for the sake of making the thriller film a bit different.

The main plot of most thriller films is the idea of good vs bad or justice vs injustice. There is also commonly a thin line between the acts of 'the good' and 'the bad', both killing people or manipulating others to help them reach their goal. Also, there is commonly a plot twist in the story. Also, mysteries, and Red Herrings (a device used to mislead the audience, into believing something which is false about the plot, which is later revealed to be false.) Also, some thriller films end on cliff hangers, where the film ends just before something is revealed, for example in The Italian Job, it ends with the bus full of gold, literally, hanging over a cliff.

There are many sub-genres of Thrillers such as: Psychological (Psycho), Political (Manchurian Candidate), Legal (Pelican Brief) etc.

There are many themes inside a thriller film such as: murder, mystery, paranoia etc.

Typically, the main character in a thriller film is trapped in a dangerous hunt, investigation, or game of 'cat & mouse' with the films antagonist/villain, and very often, it is not out of choice. they are either thrown into it by their superiors, end up involved accidently or driven into it by anger or redemption. 

Thrillers often have the audience on the edge of the seat due to the suspense of the film. This is due to the use of tension building music in scenes like chases, or dramatic battles in which we wonder if the hero is going to survive!

Also, the characters in a thriller film are usually very complex. Usually, the back story of the main characters is greatly developed though-out the film. Some thriller film heroes are less like the 'Shining Knight' type of hero, they are 'anti-heroes'. These characters have troubled pasts, or troubles with themselves. For example the character 'Leon' in 'Leon: The Professional'. He is the hero of the film, who looks after the young Matilda, however, he is visibly troubled. He is an assassin.

Also, the majority of thriller film show the society, of the city or state where the film is set, to be very dark and corrupt.