Analysing the Conventions of a Thriller

Plot: The plot conventions of a thriller are similar to those in a horror (Considering both genres are heavy variants of themselves). thrillers are more oriented towards solving and discovering the mystery enveloped in the plot. With this explained, Thrillers are prior to include plot twist, in which a dramatic unsuspected point in the thriller is exploited. Thrillers commonly involve a threat with their outside life and is commonly an abstract representation of a corruption of society/world.

Cinematography: A series of conventional shots are used throughout thrillers. Extreme long shots are commonly used to create a theme of isolation as commonly used in many adaptations of Stephen King's novels. Extreme and out of focus close ups or extreme close ups are also used to give away specific clues, like in horrors the common close up shot of a weapon is used to create one blunt emotion of the character which is only presented through a prop or extension of the antagonist.

Mise En' Scene: Like some horrors, especially 'slasher' horrors thrillers are commonly set in the corrupted renditions of mundane locations such as suburbs and cities however some thrillers may take place in exotic, desert or space locations.

Characters: The conventional series of characters follows the same in horror films, these include the main protagonist, who may be twisted to the antagonist later in the thriller. There is commonly a secondary protagonist who assists the lead protagonist and is commonly presented as the characters friend or partner. There is also the main antagonist which sometimes may not even be a character and represents the protagonist(s) main fear.