Thriller Openings Research 17/01/13

I have started research on the codes and conventions of typical thrillers by analysing the openings of several thrillers.

Se7en - 1995

In the opening sequence of the thriller Se7en, genre is almost instantly established. The opening scene shows the main protagonist preparing to leave his house. A close up shot of three propositions, a police badge, a knife and a pen instantly show that the protagonist is a police detective who, because of the weapon, may work in homicide. This is then continued by him putting on a suit which is stereotypical of a detective in films. Crime is a common feature of thriller films, often based around a detective having to solve either one or a string of murders. The following scene then confirms that this is a crime thriller as it starts with an establishing shot of a dead body which suggests that the scene will focus around that murder; the brutality of the murder with blood sprayed on the walls also suggests that there will be violent killings throughout the film. An opening sequence is used to give the audience an initial idea of the rest of the film’s plot which is done when a police officer states the protagonist is close to retirement. The film also starts to build up the protagonist’s character as he asks if the child saw the murder suggesting that he is not a cold detective which may have been thought by using a shot including a weapon. A second protagonist is then introduced; when he enters, nothing but the actor’s fame suggests he will play a key role in the film. The constant diegetic sound of police radios also suggests that there is a crime problem in the area and murder is very common. The extras used in the opening sequence support that murder is common; the bleak weather also shows that the city is dingy and dangerous with the sound of distant police sirens in the background. It is also clear that the second protagonist is a new detective and will be replacing the retiring detective however as they are both engaged in conversation, they are probably going to have to work together in a homicide case. A reference to the title is made as the first protagonist states they have to work together for ‘seven’ days which suggests the period of time in which the film will take place. 

I have also analysed the opening credits of Se7en as I believe they have also been used to represent a number of the key codes and conventions of the thriller genre. The superimposition used throughout the title sequence of the film carries a number of connotations typical of the thriller genre. The font used on the titles appears to be written in a creepy handwriting, something that you may expect in a letter from a psycho. The titles also shake constantly as well as flash to make the audience feel uneasy, as if the person who wrote them is very unstable. This is supported by the use of fast close ups of the writing which make the audience feel like whoever is writing this is ready to attack therefore making the audience feel frightened. Screeching, high pitch sounds are also used throughout the title sequence, this is used to make the audience feel uneasy as the sound used resembles a victim screaming in their last moments. A number of close up shots on fingers, razors, dead bodies and letters are used frequently, by using a close up shot, the director has the ability to make the audience feel too close to the items presented in the shot making them want to escape from their seats where they feel trapped. This is supported by the use of quick cuts which makes the audience feel disorientated as they are denied a grip on what is happening. 

Black Swan - 2010

The thriller genre is instantly established in the film Black Swan in the first scene in a number of different ways. Sound is a very important element in a thriller as it is usually used to add suspension to the scene, the diegetic orchestral music is intensified when the second dancer enters the scene connoting that he is dangerous, this is also supported by the shaky, handheld camera shot used to make the audience feel uneasy about his presence and the whole scene itself. The music continues to gain pace as they dance together, this is combined with close ups of the protagonist which at some points appear to get too close to her, this is used to show she has no control over the situation and to present her fear to the audience. Creating tension is important in a thriller as it keeps a firm grip on the audience ready to drop them at any time. Diegetic sounds such as breathing are also used to represent the protagonist’s fear when she meets the antagonist. Another key feature of the thriller genre used in Black Swan is the use of low lighting. The main protagonist is surrounded by darkness to present the character’s inner darkness and so the audience do not know what dangers surround her, making the entrance of the antagonist more shocking.  This may also have been used to make the audience feel claustrophobic as they are only with the protagonist and have no idea of what is around them. This use of low lighting is also supported by the character’s costumes which are also black and white which emphasises the darkness of the scene and how this white, pure dancer is being taken over by the darkness which surrounds her. A 360 degree pan shot of the dancers is used to disorientate the audience and make them feel uneasy about the situation, this also connotes something very bad is about to happen to the protagonist. 

Argo - 2012

The opening few minutes of Argo uses a number of key codes and conventions of the thriller genre. Diegetic sound of the mob chanting creates a tense atmosphere as it instantly presents a threat to the protagonist of the film even before they are introduced. This is supported by the context of the film as all of the extras appear to be Iranian, connoting that Iranians hate Americans and western culture. This is supported by the close up of one Iranian burning the American flag which supports the anger of the mob which is then followed by a low angle shot of the same extra to make him appear more powerful than any Americans in Iran. During this scene rapid cuts are used of the mob chanting and holding propositions such as guns, this is used to intensify the tension of the scene at make the audience feel uncomfortable and anxious. The director has also used extreme close ups on the antagonists when they are finally introduced in the film, this shot type is used to present the fear the characters are feeling and to make the audience feel too close to them, like whatever happens to the protagonist will also happen to them. 

Psycho - 1960

Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock is a well known thriller which uses a range of the codes and conventions of the thriller genre. Orchestral, fast paced music is used straight from the beginning of the film to make the audience feel as if they have been thrown right in at the deep end, that they are already in trouble. The orchestral music creates a tense atmosphere; this is combined with the fast pace of the superimposition used by Hitchcock to make the audience feel uncomfortable as they have no control over how fast they are seeing the superimposition. It becomes clear that the entire film has been shot in black and white to highlight the dark tone of the film that is to come and give the audience an idea of the dark personalities of various characters. The use of black and white also connotes a sense of danger as everything appears much darker therefore there may be something lurking off camera ready to attack. 


After the opening credits, the camera swiftly enters the following scene through the window emulating the behaviour of an intruder making the audience feel uncomfortable as they are the ones who have sneaked into the scene. This use of editing will also make the audience feel uneasy as they enter the scene unexpectedly and will want to warn the protagonist of any incoming danger they will suspect. The characters in the scene are also used to display the codes and conventions of a thriller as the woman first introduced is only wearing a bra making her appear a very sexual woman. This is typical of both the thriller and horror genre and often indicates the first victim of the antagonist as very sexual female characters are often portrayed as stupid and incapable of dealing with a dangerous situation.

The Shining - 1980

In the opening credits of The Shining, Stanley Kubrick has used a number of the codes and conventions of the thriller genre. Tense non-diegetic music is used throughout the opening credits of the film including sounds to resemble breathing to create a creepy atmosphere and make the audience feel like there is someone else there watching them. This is typical of the thriller genre as it instantly makes the audience feel uncomfortable as soon as the film has started. During the opening of The Shining, a number of shots that are typically found in thrillers are also used. As the opening credits consist of a car driving, later confirmed to be the protagonists car, camera shots are heavily relied upon to confirm to the audience that this is in fact a thriller. Throughout the first two minutes of the film, the camera is following the car from a distance at a very fast pace, this makes the audience feel like they are following the car and the pace of scene makes the audience feel unstable as they have no control over the scene. 

At the beginning of this scene, the camera turns off at a canted angle whilst continuing at this fast pace to make the audience feel disorientated and like they are having to chase after the car. Using this canted angle, Kubrick is able to make the audience feel uneasy with the situation as now, not only are they not following at a comfortable pace, but they are now going at an angle which adds to this level of feeling uneasy and are now unsure on whether they will once again turn off at an even more awkward angle to watch the scene. Finally an aerial shot is used with the car towards the top of the frame. This shot makes the audience feel like they are suspended high up in the air above the car as if they could fall any second; the shot suggests that there is trouble below them and the audience feel like they are just waiting to be dropped. 

American Psycho - 2001

Although American Psycho is a thriller, throughout the film elements of satire are shown, starting at the very beginning of the film. The opening credits begin with a shot of what appears to be dripping blood. This will initially make the audience feel uncomfortable as it gives the impression that someone has been murdered, however it soon turns out that the blood is in fact a sauce for food. This will make the audience feel both relieved that the dripping liquid was not blood and uneasy as they feel they have been misled by the director and therefore do not know if they trust anything they see. This is then repeated again as a mid shot of a knife is shown in someone's hand suggesting that they are going to use the knife to kill someone when in fact the knife is only used to cut a piece of meat. Close ups are another typical feature of thrillers and are used frequently throughout the opening of the film. However the close ups are not used on any characters but are also used on the food in the restaurant making the audience feel uncomfortably close to the scene and uncertain on why they are so close to the propositions in the film.

The Dark Knight - 2008

Although The Dark Knight is not a thriller film, I have decided to evaluate the film as I believe it uses codes and conventions found in the thriller genre, some of these elements I wish to emulate in my own thriller. Throughout the opening sequence of The Dark Knight, the antagonists face is not shown directly to the audience making them feel uncomfortable as they can only see the villains mask. However, because the film is part of the Batman franchise, the audience can assume that the villain is in fact The Joker from the antagonist's costume. Multiple villains are also used in the opening scene to add to the confusion for the audience as they may assume that The Joker is there but they do not know which one of them he is. The antagonist of the film is established before the protagonist to make the audience feel uncomfortable as they see no one fit enough to take down this evil character, however once again the franchise the film is a part of indicates that the protagonist is Batman therefore he does not need to be shown straight away. Tense orchestral music is used throughout the opening scene to add tension to the film and make the audience feel uneasy about what they are witnessing. Similar to The Shining, Nolan has used a shot which tilts down towards the floor after a window is broken. This shot is used to make the audience feel disorientated as they have been thrown out of the window and are now looking at the pavement which is stories below; this shot is supported by the use of a non-diegetic stab which shocks the audience.   


The codes and conventions of a thriller - Prezi

Here is a link to my prezi on the codes and conventions of thrillers which I have found from my research.

http://prezi.com/exa1eij6ulzd/what-makes-up-a-thriller/?kw=view-exa1eij6ulzd&rc=ref-23864931