Techniques
Plot twist - Thriller films usually advertise that they contain plot twists and ask the audience to refrain from revealing spoilers to other potential viewers. Films within the thriller genre that have plot twists include: Psycho and The Skeleton Key.
Unreliable narrator - An unreliable narrator is a common literacy device used in psychological thrillers. This is because sometimes the protagonist within the film is mentally unstable and due to this they don't have a clear perception of reality. In Shutter Island, the protagonist, Teddy is unreliable as he believes he is a U.S marshal when in reality he is a patient at a mental hospital who used to work as an officer.
Macguffin - The concept of Macguffin is when a goal or an item helps to move the plot but it can also be used to create suspense. This is used within Girl Interrupted as the goal to escape the mental institute together creates suspense to whether they will actually succeed.
Characters
Criminals - These could include murderers and stalkers.
Psychotic characters - There are generally psychotic characters within a thriller film, whether they are in a mental institution or within society. Characters can either develop this mental state or already have this mental state when the plot has begun. For example in The Shining the protagonist develops this mental state and eventually tries to kill his family. Where as in Shutter Island he already has a poor mental state in the first scene and we are just discovering how it happened.
- The Shining
- Shutter Island
Innocent victims - The protagonist is usually portrayed as an innocent victims who are struggling with their own fears or they fear someone within the plot. This role is typically played by a female character and the role helps create suspense for the audience as if they are scared then the audience will be on edge too.
- Girl Interrupted
- The Black Swan
Inmates - This could be an inmate at a prison or at a mental hospital as both are common within thriller films. These characters are usually unpredictable as they have a dark past which is unknown to the audience and this helps to add mystery to the film.
- Silence of the Lambs
- Girl Interrupted
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