Sub-genres of thriller films

Narrative-

Omniscient-the audience member knows everything about the character eg. Silence of the lambs

Restricted-audience only knows what the characters know eg. The sixth sense, shutter island

Linear- Clear beginning middle and end

Non-linear- flash backs to throw the audience off track

Enigma code- most commonly used narrative in the thriller genre

Audience are left to discover things throughout the film, this builds up the suspense and drama

Sub genres-

Disaster thriller- natural disasters occur, heroes attempt to survive/save people

Mystery thriller- relates to crime thrillers, we often see the circumstances of the mystery and find clues with the character

Psychological thriller- plays with the audiences minds, reflects the characters minds and problems

Crime thriller- more suspense, showing successful and failed crime acts, usually emphasise action over psychological

Conspiracy thriller- hero/ heroine trapped in a powerful organisation; plays with the secrecy of governments and major organisations

Religious thrillers- A quest to find the truth of religion, while viewing the good and bad effects/impacts of religion

Supernatural thriller- horror type film without the gore, the character often has a supernatural gift to unravel the ending.

Techno Sci-fi thriller- Manipulation of technology playing a large part in society and the warning how it can become corrupt

Crank beginning- Restricted

Psychological&crime thriller

The usual suspects- Mystery thriller

Omniscient                       

Memento- Non linear

Psychological thriller

Vertigo-linear

Crime thriller

The bourne identity-Restricted

Political thriller

Enigma code.A theory used in film to suggest different questions about the plot, characters etc. By presenting a mystery and giving the audience subtle clues throughout the film to answer the mystery, it creates a suspense and intrigues the audience.
The enigma code has been developed from Roland Barthes.

Thriller Mind Map

Dexter opening remake

My group:

Morgan, Stephen and I.

We arranged to come to my house after school on a certain day, so we could use my kitchen and had the right equipment to create the remake. We did not have some of the equipment like the coffee maker so we had to improvise and try to get the shot as similar as possible. 

When it came to the day of shooting, Stephen was ill so we therefore we had to decide different ways to shoot so we removed most feminine characteristics. 

In future tasks we would need to make sure we have another shooting date so that we are certain to complete the clips altogether as this will make it less difficult.

We wrote down what each scene consisted of so we could easily film each clip.

Reviews

Gone

“Gone” is classed as a thriller film as it has a constant feel of suspense and tension throughout the film. The cast includes Amanda Seyfried who plays the main role of Jill Parrish, she is against time to find her sister Molly (Emily Wikersham) who Jill claims has been taken by a kidnapper who in the past had done the same to many girls. As a member of the audience, you are made to follow and unravel the mystery a long with Jill. This is a good way of building up the suspense because it involves the viewer. The sound throughout the film has been used strategically to also increase the suspense; this is no different to many other thriller films that in my opinion lowers the suspense as it makes the following scenes predictable. The film although being a dramatic film, is a modern realistic film, which makes the plot believable.

The film being a race against time to save her sister raises the thrill and anticipation of the audience, because of the bond you are able to form with the character Jill. While watching the character struggle you form sympathy and a hint of guilt as you are unable to help her find her sister.

The film begins slow and picks up pace throughout the film, the music tends to increase its pace to match with the occurring scene this is a very traditional characteristic used in thrillers and many other genres.

Jill being convinced that it was her kidnapper, who has taken her sister, leads the police to try and stop her, as they believe this never happened and that the kidnapper has never existed. The chase begins solely between Jill and the kidnapper, and ends in the police after Jill, after the kidnapper.

Skyfall

A part of the James Bond collection, came Skyfall, a new thrilling film with still the traditional suave MI6 secret agent now played by Daniel Craig. The film is classed as an action thriller, due to the suspense and crime fighting throughout the film. The plot of the film begins with Bonds “resurrection”. The head of MI6 “M” calls for Bond in result of her safety being threatened by a former agent, “Silva” played by Javier Bardem. Bond’s loyalty to M is put to the test when he has to find and catch the mysterious Silva, before he gets to M first and releases more secret identities of MI6 agents.  The reasoning behind Silva’s actions could easily sway a non-loyal agent of M but we come to find out the strong relationship between Bond and M. The fast pace film goes to Shangai, Japan, London and eventually to Bond’s hometown “Skyfall”, fitting into the films title. The action scenes throughout the film focus on Bond and Silva and them chasing each other, the thrill of the chase creates the suspense in the film however in my opinion the music did not do justice for these scenes as it did not always match the pace. We come to really see Bond and M’s relationship at the end of the film and this is when we truly understand the feelings and why Bond was not swayed to going against M because of the almost mother figure she has provided for him.

Chronicle

When a group of friends gain telekinetic abilities, they begin using them to have fun however the outcast of the group takes things to far and people end up getting hurt, he then discovers he is the most powerful out of the three and uses this to his advantage. Andrew played by Dane DeHaan, uses his power to create destruction when angry and we see his home and how he does not have an easy life which causes him to take I out on others. His friends knowing what he is capable of, become concerned foreshadowing the destruction and violence which follows. This sci-fi thriller, gives a warning of what can happen if you gain to much power.

Andrews isolation and problems at home make him become increasingly violent and angry inflicting pain on his friends Steve and Matt. We see Andrew become unable to control his powers ending in him killing himself.

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