Sunday, 31 October 2010

Martin Rubin - Thrillers



In 1999 Martin Rubin's book 'Thrillers' was published. The book featured a list of existing thriller genre media and drew out common codes, conventions and theories found within them.



The Transformed City theory by C.K. Chesterton created the idea that many thrillers have British authors - particularly if they are based in Britain - and that media in the thriller genre often transforms an ordinary situation into something extraordinary. It also supported the idea that the thriller genre is a modern genre and generally have urban environments as settings.

Northrop Frye created the idea that the hero of a thriller is almost always an ordinary person that the reader/viewer can relate to, and this ordinary person is placed in a situation which forces them to behave in extraordinary manners - such as performing near-impossible acts in which they survive things that would almost certainly kill a normal human such as escaping a burning building or being trapped underwater for lengthy periods of time - with The Heroic Romance theory.

Lars Ole Saurberg's Concealment and Protraction theory states that the unique sense of suspense created in the thriller genre pulls the audience in two different ways to confuse them, create plot twists and heighten the audience's concentration. These two ways are concealment; in which the thriller hides something from the audience on purpose to keep them interested; and protraction where a suspected event such as a planned assassination or the explosion of a bomb is deliberately delayed which also keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

The Question-Answer Model was introduced by Noel Carroll and presents the audience with a series of questions which they are forced to wait for the answers of, which creates tension and keeps the focus and interest of the audience consistent. There are two factors involved with this model: the probability factor is used to make the hero's struggle for justice seem more desperate, as an outcome with a high or maximum percentage of probability is not as exciting as an outcome with an unsure and unpredictable result. This allows the author to create plot twists and cliffhangers, and makes the audience concentrate better. The moral factor creates the idea that the morally correct outcome will occur which increases viewer's involvement and makes them think more about what they are viewing.

John Cawelti's The Exotic theory supports the idea that thrillers are set in modern, urban environments which are filled with mystery and enchantment. It makes emphasis on location - such as urban environments - and supports the fact that unfamiliar things are introduced to ordinary people and places.

The Mazes and Labyrinths theory by W.H. Matthews originates from Greek mythology with ideas such as the main characters finding themselves in a predicament and that they are faced with a long and somewhat complex journey that they must complete in order to reach the villain - filled with traps, dead ends, twists and mazes. This theory creates the idea that the audience are presented with the hero's problems and puzzles which heightens their involvement and interest in the thriller.

Finally, Pascal Bonitzer's Partial Vision theory makes the impression that what the audience don't see is just as important as what they do see as they are only shown a certain amount of the story with the rest hidden from them and they are kept guessing about the rest of it which raises suspense. Questions are left unanswered to the audience also which makes them concentrate harder on the thriller to try and figure out the mysteries presented to them.    

Friday, 22 October 2010

The Thriller Genre



"A thriller is a broad genre of television, literature or film. It incorporates elements of mystery, tension, excitement and suspense which drives the narrative and appeals to an audience"




Sub-genres of Thrillers


Disaster Thriller - A thriller based around a disaster that could affect multiple people on a large scale, such as a tidal wave or a tornado. Examples are 2012 (2009) and The Day After Tomorrow (2004).



Political Thriller - This sub-genre became more popular after the assassination of President Kennedy, and are often based on historical events like this. Examples are Proof of Life (2000) and Topaz (1969).



Horror Thriller - A combination of a thriller and a horror film, incorporating elements from both genres such as unnerving scenes that have a strong impact on the viewer. Resident Evil (2002) and The Hills Have Eyes (1977, remade in 2006) are examples.



Erotic Thriller - A thriller including features of erotica such as sex scenes. Examples include Dressed To Kill (1980, pictured above) and Basic Instinct (1992).





Supernatural Thriller - A thriller that mixes in otherworldly elements to somewhat create a feel of fantasy. Common features included in these films are character with psychic abilities or inhuman strength. Examples of Supernatural Thrillers are The Skeleton Key (2005, pictured above) and Lady in the Water (2006).





Crime Thriller - A hybrid of the thriller and crime genres, often focused on the criminal instead of the detective/policeman. Incorporates elements such as mystery, robbery, murder and blackmail. Generally are more focused on action than on psychological aspects, but often include both characteristics. Examples include Seven (1995, sometimes stylized as 'Se7en') and Ocean's Eleven (1960, remade in 2001).




A silhouetted figure brandishes a knife towards the camera
Psychological Thriller - A thriller containing elements which would have a psychological, unnerving impact on a viewer; elements such as stalking, mind games and obsession. Instead of physical contact between the characters, these films usually consist of emotional and mental conflict. Examples are Psycho (1960, pictured above, remade in 1998) and The Butterfly Effect (2004).





Mystery Thriller - A thriller based around the main character attempting to solve or have some involvement some form of mystery or crime. Examples of this sub-genre are Shutter Island (2010) and Identity (2003).




Revenge Thriller - A film that emphasizes on typical thriller themes such as tension and suspense over supernatural and psychological elements, with the obvious underlying theme of revenge. Kill Bill (2003, 2004 - released in two 'volumes', pictured above) and I Spit on Your Grave (1978, remade in 2010) are examples of revenge thrillers.


Religious Thriller - This sub-genre contains films which have plots linked closely to religious stories, objects, beliefs and icons whilst still incorporating thriller elements. The Da Vinci Code (2006) and Angels & Demons (2009) are examples.


Techno Thriller - A thriller in which advanced technology plays a pivotal role both within the film and in its presentation. Examples of this sub-genre are The Matrix (1999, pictured) and I, Robot (2004). 







Basic Ingredients of a Thriller

Thrillers generally portray the society at the time of the film's setting as being corrupt and dark, and they also rely heavily on features such as plot twists and cliffhangers in order to maximise the viewer's interest and concentration. Thrillers are known to enhance a viewer's senses and moods - creating feelings such as terror, adrenaline, anticipation and expectation. A thriller generally incorporates a plot driven by a main villain or enemy whom the main character or hero must overcome. Despite the generally dark and dangerous atmosphere featured in most thrillers, they usually have a happy ending in which the main character achieves their super objective of thwarting the enemy, usually by having them arrested or by killing them.