Group analysis of whole films

-          Stock settings – a main setting associated with the thriller genre is an abandoned house or building as in the covenant it reinforces the secluded isolated ideas commonly found in thrillers as in the uninvited and the orphan where the main building is cut- off from society. Another stereotypical scenario is being left home alone as in the ring this creates a tense atmosphere as it is a disaster waiting to happen. Another setting/ environment is if the community is very close knit and everyone knows you this is the most deceiving one as everyone would seem innocent or at risk as in the uninvited and the changeling. Settings can also fit in with the genre of the story for example Gothika is set in a psychiatric ward and is a psychological thriller, hence reinforcing certain stereotypes.

-          Stock characters – conventionally Propp’s theory applies across the thriller genre; there is always a villain who carries an element of the unknown, however there is a difference between the genders of the villains. Female villains are mostly seen to be psychotic mad women as in fatal attraction, whereas male villains are calmer and also seem to pre-meditate there plans, they also dominate the villain world. There is always also a hero/heroine that is usually the main character there is a variation of women heroines (silence of the lambs) and male heroes (Blade). There is also a victim with whom the hero ‘falls in love’ with it is usually either a women (the covenant) or if a man a mortal one (blade). In compliance with Prop’s theory there can also be a donor/helper who provides vital information to the hero i.e. orphan, uninvited and Gothika and a suspect or false villain that acts as a red herring and diverts the story.

-          Themes – the main theme associated with thrillers is death and murder hence the creation of suspicion and mystery this is common to all films and dependent upon where the death takes place in the film depends on the fact if it occurs at the beginning then there is more of a shock factor involved. Another theme that underpins the thriller genre is that of love/passion/lust in different forms i.e. in the orphan it is a psychotic lust however in Blade it is a romantic love for the women. Another theme is revenge on the villain for wrongdoing in the past (Blade) this also creates the foundations for a sequel.

-          Narrative – equilibrium is always established at the beginning of the film where things seem relatively normal and after the story has begun it always has to be restored. This enters the stage of the quest or challenge faced by the hero/heroine this becomes the bulk of the story. The climax comes when an unexpected twist is introduced usually associated with the false villain and the audience become gripped by the falsehood they have been led upon (Gothika)

-          Iconography – weapons are a typical signifier of the thriller genre they can be conventional i.e. guns and swords or high-tech weapons such as i.e. specialised lasers and beams or garlic essence guns (Blade). Fast cars also seem to be an icon of action thrillers as in the covenant, blade and underworld these connote danger speed, and expense. Finally an icon specific to certain genres such as psychological and supernatural are flickering lights they create suspense and signify that danger is approaching as in Gothika and The covenant.