Psychological thriller
General
A psychological thriller a sub-genre of a regular thriller, but with more of a dramatic element, that is based upon the apprehension and excitement it provides to the audience. This type of thriller is very close to psychological horror and in some cases, they overlap. The target audience of a psycho-thriller is women ages 30-50; this is because they may be too difficult to watch for a younger audience. In addition, women are found to be more attracted to emotional/intellectual films than men. Typically, they discuss a protagonist's mental state, leading them to be found in dangerous situations. The plot consists of the protagonist, commonly innocent victims, confronting the situations they are faced with due to their mental state along with the antagonist, usually criminals or stalkers.
Conventions
Psychological thrillers are generally accompanied by tension music that helps to create suspense and develop the plot further as it moves along.
There is also a great deal of low-level lighting that initiates fear and creates tension for the audience.
Quick edits along with changes in camera angle create the buildup of eerie and suspense as the audience anticipates what is to occur next. The fast-paced editing is mostly used for very important and major scenes.
Flashbacks are another common technique that is used to uncover a dark past of some sort, usually of the protagonist. The protagonist is then threatened with their past by the antagonist.
Mirrors are a prop that is also utilized often when directors wish to reveal a darker side of a character in the thriller.
Setting
Location is another factor that is very carefully considered. These types of thrillers are typically shot in isolated places where characters are forced to face their problems alone. Sometimes they are filmed in cabins or islands where the director is able to be separated from reality. But, other times they can be shot in regular urban areas, being more apparent to reality, where instead of isolating the character they isolate them socially.
Themes
Psychological thrillers are also known to have reoccurring themes throughout the productions. Some themes that generally developed consist of, but are not limited to
- Reality
- Purpose
- Existence
Marketing
Psychological thrillers are masters of suspense (Hitchcock) and use several marketing techniques.
One famous technique is to observe the trends that are emerging from the media. Then these trends can be infiltrated into the films. Therefore, the film is caught up with the latest technology to satisfy its audience.
Another technique is to use the media to its advantage. Media, like movie theaters, can be a major contributing factor to the marketing as it is reaches the right audience, movie watchers all at one time.
Being unique and playing with the rules of regular movies. When audiences don't know as much of a movie as they want to they are more prompted to watch it.
Major psycho-thriller productions
The Black swan is a major psychological thriller directed by Harren Aronofsky. It follows a plot of the protagonist, Nina, who is overcome by the passion she has for ballet. When Nina wins the heart of her artistic director and plays the white swan, a fellow classmate, Lily, chooses to run against the competition and become a black swan. Mirrors are used throughout the film to reveal Lily's dark side as it begins to take her over. The peaceful setting contradicts what a regular psycho film is shot in as it transforms a calm room into a terrifying experience. In Black Swan, there is also an abundance of themes including perfection and paranoia.
Taxi Driver is another psychological thriller who is directed by Martin Scorcese. The plot is of an ex-marine veteran, Travis, that suffers insomnia and is angry at how the world has become. Until he finds his will to live, Betsy changes his mind and he quickly begins to obsess over. One of the major themes is mental illness as the main character is faced with when he begins to obsess over other people like Betsy. Quick cuts are another major technique Scorsese uses to aid in the development of the main character's mental state as it worsens over time.
More psychological thrillers
References
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