Codes And Conventions Of A Psychological Thriller

Psychological Thriller is a specific sub genre of the popular film genre, Thriller and there are many films that are categorised into this genre. these types of films focus heavily on the main characters phycological state as well as incorporating elements form the mystery and drama genre. the characters psychological state is the driving force of the plot line, rather than the plot line driving the characters psyche. often there is a first person narrative allowing the viewers to better understand the character physiological state of mind.
 Main themes
-Reality- characters often struggle to determine what is real and what is not.
-Mind- The mind is explored mainly through the first person narrative, revealing inner conflict and the characters emotional state 
-identity- Characters often doubt who they are or what purpose they serve and so set of to discover themselves 
-Perception- often a characters perception of the world is revealed to be different to that of others with a more sound mind.
-Death- characters often have a fear or an obsession with death or the dead

Conventions of a psychological thriller

The conventions of psychological thrillers will include things like:

-Low level lighting- shadows to create fear/tension.

-Quick edits & changes in camera angle- increase the feeling of fear and shock. Often used during significant scenes.

-Music- high tension, eerie, silence.

-Flashbacks- time disorientation confusing the audience or showing the past to give an insight into why the characters are the way they are.

-Black and white colouring- increase effectiveness of shadows.

-claustrophobic spaces- entrapment of the mind, planes or house.

-Font/colour of title- may be written in a certain way to emphasise the theme of the film

Directors of thrillers

-Alfred Hitchcock - also known as the 'Master of suspense' uses these conventions to an extent that its so effective   and really encapsulates the audience. You can find it in one of his best films 'Psycho' which does this really well.

-David Lynch - is a surrealist director whose mysteries are usually puzzles of the mind. The audience and the characters themselves must figure out what is real and what isn't. E.g. Mulholland drive.

-Martin Scorsese - director of 'The Departed' & 'Shutter island'.