What is a Thriller?

Thriller is a genre of literature, film and television that uses suspense, tension and excitement as the main elements. They use light, sound and Mise-en-scene to create the right atmosphere and thriller vibe.
Other elements of a thriller include:

• murder/guns
• mystery
• good and evil
• hidden identity
• a twist

 A movie that is a thriller is The Usual Suspects, which I have studied in class. We know it is a thriller from the start with the use of props such as cigarettes and fire to create a sense of danger. The lighting also signifies it is a thriller from dark dingy light at the beginning, as well as the sound which signified it was dramatic and we hear the sounds of fire.
We also looked at the poster and what was denoted and connotated from it. The denotation included:

• 5 men in a line-up (all dressed differently)
• All different heights
• No one is smiling
• Man on the end is holding his arm
• 2nd man from the left has an aggressive stance
• tallest in the middle (like a pyramid)
• Titles in red

The connotation included:

• one is guilty
• all in same situation
• red represents danger
• man holding his arm = disabled, insecure, guilty
• pyramid = hierarchy