Thriller Sub-Genres

Religious Thriller

These thrillers use the rich history of world religions to build atmospheres that create nearly discriminating moods and political tension. They tend to use a lot of secrecy, manipulation, and deception in these movies. Common themes used in these movies are the large contrast between black and white; white being pure and holy, and black being dark and deadly- sometimes demonic. These thrillers trend to be quite gory and violent. Supernatural occurrences such as traveling to Hell etc are commonly seen, and demon possessions are rarely disused, and therefore, exorcisms are also commonly seen. Symbols frequently used are crosses, illuminati, Om, and Taijitu- to name a few. Dark or suspenseful music can sometimes be used for dramatic effect. Examples of these are End of Days(1999), Rosemary's Baby(1968), and The Omen(1976).
click here to watch a series of clips from End of Days.  

Spy Thriller

Spy thrillers generally involve, well, spies. They usually involve government and/or terrorism. They use classic spy music, like that of a James Bond movie; racy, exciting, and fast (click here). It can also be slowed down a bit to create a more suspenseful atmosphere (click here). In these themes, they use computer generated sound but do make use of some instruments, such as drums, electric guitar, and bass guitar.  Symbols repeatedly seen in spy thrillers are cars, guns, and knives. There is often a romantic interest in these thrillers, and the girl is often captured or hurt in some way to create another problem for the protagonist. Explosions, high technology weapons and communication devices. Fight scenes involving highly skilled fighting area also seen. Formal and upper class costumes are also worn, e.g. suit and bow ties. Examples of these are The Army of Shadows(1969), The Bourne Identity(2002), and Casino Royale(2006).

click here and here to see clips from The Bourne Identity.

Medical Thriller

A medical thriller is usually situated within a hospital or medical clinic. The common theme of these thrillers is for the drugs/utensils etc that should be used for medical person, to be used as deadly weapons. They tend to use dark, mysterious music to make the viewer feel uneasy about the events of the movie. They tend to include scenes of mid games being played on particular characters, often as a way of reprimanding or challenging their conscience. Symbols/objects and places seen in these thrillers are things like scissors, scalpels, drugs used for weapons, and hospital beds (for characters being rushed into the emergency rooms). Examples of these are Pathology(2008),  Anatomy(2000),  and Flatliners(1990).
click here to watch a scene from Flatliners.

Forensic Thriller

These thrillers are a hybrid of mystery and medical thrillers. They surround the main protagonist and detective/investigator being given the task of trying to solve a crime (usually a murder or kidnapping) that threatens their lives and ends up with them having a few "close calls." Symbols seen in these movies are guns, cars, medical/operating tools (for scientists investigating the body),  and detective kits (police tape, markers, gloves, chemicals for testing). Places that these movies take place in are forensic labs and hospitals, police headquarters, and either very busy places or very isolated places- although there are the odd few that go against this. Similar music to that in a mystery thriller- low, exciting, and fast. The music tends to build slowly then become bold and fast, making the viewer feel excited and nervous at the same time. Examples of these kinds of thrillers are The 39 Steps(1935), Murder by Numbers(2002), and The Bone Collector(1999).
click here to watch The 39 Steps.

Conspiracy Thriller

In these thrillers, the protagonist faces up to a large, powerful group of enemies and only they recognize their true intent or motive. They usually work alone. Common themes of these thrillers are secrecy (and the uncovering of secrets), manipulation, and deception; making them quite similar to religious thrillers. Symbols seen in these movies are a lot of religious objects e.g. crosses, and illuminati. They tend to feature spiritual references as well e.g. demonic forces. Music used in these movies is dark and eerie, creating a bloodcurdling and unnerving atmosphere. Examples of these kind of thrillers are Shutter Island(2010), JFK(1991), Old Boy(2003).
click here to watch a clip of Shutter Island.

Techno Thriller

These thrillers are hybrid thrillers, pulling ideas from war, science, spy, and action thrillers. They focus highly on techno-sounds and intense details, for example, the fragments of a bomb in explosion in a war movie. Techno thrillers tend to have computer generated, sci-fi music with very little to no use of actual instruments. The arts of karate, politics, and espionage are effectively used in these thrillers. Common themes seen in these movies are those such as politics, war, and corruption. They use cutting-edge technology in filming the movie and as an actual part of the movie, either as something to obtain, or working for/against the protagonist. Examples of these kinds of movies are The  Matrix(1999), Blackhat(2015), and Paranoia(2013).

click here to watch a clip from The Matrix.

Disaster Thriller

Disaster thrillers take place during a natural disaster. What makes these thrillers different to the others  is that the protagonist is either trying to prevent the disaster, stop the disaster, or same themselves and other people. Common aspects of these thrillers are floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and storms. Loud and booming music is usually played in these movies to create a suspenseful and enticing atmosphere. Symbols of these movies are destruction to buildings, flying cars, and general annihilation of any living thing. Very wide shots are usually seen in these movies, for example an aerial view of a flooded street, to show the extent of the damage. Examples of these kinds of movies are Titanic(1997), Independence Day(1996), and The Sweet Hereafter(1997).
click here to watch a clip from The Sweet Hereafter.

Eco Thriller

In this sub-genre, the protagonist must stop a threat to the environment, whether it's man-made or natural, that will have major influences on society if left unresolved. The problem could either have local, national, or even global effects- for extra dramatic effect. Symbols seen in these thrillers is a lot of nature e.g. ocean, forests etc. Politics and governments are also seen a lot in these movies. Music can be used for dramatic effect as they use dramatic and tension building music to increase the suspense. However, they primarily use the diegetic sound of the natural distress itself e.g. the "BANG CRACK" of an earthquake. Examples of these kinds of thrillers are The Green Brain(1966), The Last Winter(2006), and Zodiac(1988).
click here to watch Zodiac.

Opening Sequences

What is the purpose of an Opening Sequence? 

The opening sequence or credits are shown at the beginning of the film/tv show/video game to introduce the audience to all or some of the following elements: main characters, locations, themes, plot,  and settings. The Opening Sequence establishes the key atmospheres and moods that are going to be present within the media product; giving the viewer a clear sense of what to expect.

What is the difference between an Opening Credits and a Title Sequence

Opening Credits attribute the directors and key people (the main actors, directors) who played a part in creating and producing the media. They do this because people are attracted to movies/tv shows because of the actors and the director. For example, if the movie/tv show stars a famous, highly regarded actor/actress the media is likely to have many more sales than if it stared an unknown or slightly well known actor/actress. whereas a Title Sequence is how the company decides to present their title, the "header" of the movie. 

 

What techniques can be employed in a Opening Sequence?

Directors/Producers can choose to create exciting and captivating title sequences by using many different and abstract methods of production. For example, in the movie Vertigo (1958), Alfred Hitchcock uses dramatic non-diegetic sound to create a feeling of suspense and unease.. Like the feeling you get when you know something is about to happen. For example, he starts hard and fast with loud, emphatic string music. This is effective because it launches the viewer straight away into the movie, grabbing their attention. Also, when the credits come onto the screen, the music gets louder and sharper; as if emphasizing the people's name. Hitchcock also uses extreme camera shots, such as an extreme close up on a women's lips; creating slight confusion and curiousness for the viewer. Already after only a few seconds, the viewer is already intrigued and left expecting more action. This suspense is also created by the colors and shapes Hitchcock uses, by zooming up an into the worms eyes, flashing with red and then screening an abundance of spirals, flower, and colors (which become important later on in the movie). Commonly, opening sequences are filmed chronologically. It is the first part of the TV show/movie and it then continues to fold out from there. However, these days directors/producers decide to "change it up a little" and actually change the order of this sequence. They decide to start off the opening scene right in the middle of the action, or with a scene from the middle of the movie and then have the rest of it be a lead up and/or entertaining unfolding of events leading up to the opening scene. An example of this is in a movie is Saving Private Ryan (1998). 

Thriller Comparison

*Unknown(2011): As soon as the movie starts, we are greeted with non-diegetic and dramatic, yet reasonably soft string music. A piano and violins are the primary instruments being used in this sequence. Only the sound of the plane is diegetic at this point. The director uses modern producing techniques in this movie by using creative and "out of the box" ways of making their opening sequence. For example, the first thing we see in the movie is a moving shot of clouds. We see predominately black on the screen, with a few gaps of colored sky here and there.

This sequence is already preparing the viewer for what is going to happen in the movie; most of the time both us and the main character, Dr. Martin Harris (Liam Neeson), are trying to figure out where we are and what is going on (we are in the dark), and every now and then we have a few moments of clarity. The viewer is also already aware that they are up high somewhere in the sky. Next the camera zooms back out of the clouds and we are moving into a plane through its window. It is as if we are traveling into a different world; our perspective is literally being pulled "out of the clouds."

 The first figure we see at this point, is a man sitting alone in the plane, and this is the first part of diegetic sound we get- the man opening his journal and writing in it. This shot can symbolize the fact the man is secretive and possibly a character to be  suspicious of as he is writing about something we cannot see.

However, we are unaware of his identity because his face and nearly the entirety of his body is in the dark. This is created by the use of a side-portrait shot. The only lighting that is used is the natural light from outside the plane and it is shining lightly on his hands and part of his face. The effect of this is to create mystery and suspicion. They use side lighting in this case because while the left side of his face is lit, the side that we see (the right side) is fully in shadow. This, again, is a way to create a question in the viewer's mid of his identity and keeps them hooked. We get close up on the mans hands; he is now writing frantically in his journal.

We don't see any writing or any sign of what he might be writing, we only see the camera pan over his hand moving and the back of the journal. This is significant because it already prepares the viewer for the fact that during the process of the movie, we get to see an outside view is happening, but we don't really get much detail or intel into what is really happening. This is also created by the use of slow pans that stop just before anything could be revealed and the use of jump cuts. The lights switch on in the plane cabin, and what do you know? We see his face; his identity is
revealed. We see someone is flying with him, but not just anyone; a woman (who we assume to be his wife as they both wear rings on their marriage fingers). At this point, the music also starts to change, introducing a double bass, and creating a mysterious atmosphere.

The next significant shot is the camera zoomed in closely on the man's briefcase. And the dramatics of the music gets higher and louder. This alerts the viewer to place important attention on this object.

Already the viewer is shown that the briefcase is an important object and that we should be paying attention to it. 

Now the title sequence. Again, the music has changed. It is much louder, but less mysterious- they keep it at a consistent, steady level. This persuades the viewer that "everything is just what it seems", as if attempting to convince them that everything is normal. The title "Unknown" slowly fades in; "known" first, then "un" second. This is an interesting effect because it prepares the viewer for things to happen out of order. Throughout the movie, we are watching it nearly back to front, and this title sequence is a taster for that. The title lasts there for 4 seconds, and then it disappears. Just like that, its there and then it's gone.

This is an interesting parallel to the movie, as again, this is what happens throughout the whole course of the movie.. We as the viewer, and Dr. Martin Harris get intel or a character shows up in the movie, and then they're gone- you'll miss it if you blink. 

The final shot of this Opening Sequence is, again, of the briefcase. We see that the briefcase has been left behind by the couple who has just driven off in a taxi. We have already established that the briefcase has plays an important role in this movie, and the fact that it is the last shot of the sequence, confirms it further.

*North by Northwest(1959):

The first shot we get in this movie is the MGM logo with a roaring lion on a vibrant green background. Here the music starts as loud, dramatic, and scary. This already makes the viewer uneasy. As the logo fades and changes into moving lines and credits,the music changes into a more exciting and intense sound rather than scary.

After the logo disappears, blue parallel lines slice through the green background, creating an uneven grid, while the credits slide in from different angles on the screen. We see that, in fact, those lines turn out to be the frames of windows on a tall building in New York as established from the iconic yellow cabs that can be seen in the reflection on the glass. This is already showing intel into the movie as this is a direct correlation to the protagonist in the movie as he is seen as something he is not.

Many quick transitions are used in this opening, for exapmle, immediately after the windows are revealed, we jump from long shots of people rushing through the streets, to a aerial shot of people flooding down the stairs to the subway, and to more long shots of people fighting over tax rides and getting shut out of buses. The purpose of all of these shots convey to the viewer the intensity and aggressiveness of bustling streets, and how so much confusion and frustration can be created by the people who also want to calm it and control it. 

The people in this sequence all seem to be reasonably well dressed and majoritively all of working class and they all seem to be young adults to elderly in age.

click HERE to watch the opening sequence of North by Northwest.