Research into conventions of the thriller genre- Miss Miller

In this post I will be researching the things you would typically see in a thriller scene, known as conventions. There are many things that are included in a thriller film that we expect to see when when watching a film from this genre, this is what i will be analyzing in this post. The thriller film that I will be looking at is The Strangers.

The first thing I noticed when looking at The Strangers that is conventional to the thriller genre is the use of low key lighting. Straight away, the use of the low key lighting indicates the thriller genre of the film and makes us aware of what may occur later.  The low key lighting is used throughout the clip. It expresses the dark atmosphere which makes the scene extremely mysterious. Because of the low key lighting, the audience are led to feel uncomfortable because it gives the clip an eerie feel. The lighting also is used to hide most of the detail in each frame, this allows for the audience to focus fully on the character. From this, our relationship with the character is built as we feel on edge on he behalf wanting her to stay safe. Low key lighting is conventional to the Thriller Genre because it makes the atmosphere of the film more eerie and suspicious and tends to heighten the alienation felt by the viewer. 



Iconography was also used within this scene which is highly conventional to the thriller genre When the girl stands up she is holding a knife in her hand, the use of this knife gives us an indication that something gory and unpleasant will lead to happen. The knife being used is also and indicator of the thriller genre and what we would expect to see. This builds up the tension within the scene because as the audience we don't know what may happen making us feel on edge. Iconography is an important aspect of a thriller film as we can feel certain emotions towards what is happening. We feel scared for the girl yet on edge as to what is going to happen next and what the outcome will be. We also question ourselves to why she has the knife and then who is the person in whom she is going to hurt. We expect to see certain objects on screen when watching a particular genre and the knife is typical of what we would expect to see in this genre.


Another convention in which I noticed was that the film is set in a house. Setting it in a house immediately builds up the fear and mystery within the film because its in such a realistic setting making it seem as if it could happen to anyone and anytime making it more scary for the audience. This allows for the fear and suspense to build up within the film as it has such a realistic feel. It makes the audience feel scared as it is made to seem that it could happen to anyone. Our relationship with the girl is built, again, we sympathize with her because the way that is portrayed to us, it is a horrible situation in which no one would want to be in. The setting of the house within the thriller genre is very conventional because it presents a realistic feel and makes the audience feel uncomfortable. 

Handheld movements are also another convention in which is noticed within this clip from The Strangers. I noticed Handheld movements when she opens the door and begins to run away. Immediately this builds up the pace within the clip and create a sense of chaos and urgency. Because of these quick paced shots the audience are led to feel uncomfortable and highly on edge because we are not sure of what may happen next and are led to believe that something bad is going to happen. Handheld movements are conventional of the Thriller Genre because it builds up a quick pace within the film creating urgency and building up the fear.



Point of view is also another convention in which is used within this clip of The Strangers. I noticed point of view within this clip when the girl is sitting on the floor looking over to the window when she hears a noise coming from outside. Point of View immensely builds up the tension within the clip as we are allowed to build a relationship with the character. We feel as if we are taking part of the scene as we can see what the character is seeing and therefore begin to feel certain emotions such as fear and tension. We also feel very uncomfortable as we don'y know what may happen next, just like the girl in the scene. Point of View shots are conventional of the Thriller genre as we can fully engage of what is going on and it brings fear to the audience.

Another convention is the many close ups of her face when she is sitting down on the floor at the beginning of the clip. Close ups portray the fear in which the character is feeling, because we can see what fear she is feeling we are able to sympathies with her.  Because of close ups, the audience are led to feel sorry for the girl and and begin to feel tense as we are unable to tell what may happen to the girl. Close ups within the thriller genre are conventional because they immensely build up the fear and tension within the film.