Conventions of a Thriller

After studying Bryan Singer's 1995 neo-noir 'The Usual Suspects', we summed up as a class the typical conventions of the thriller genre. From this, I have learnt to understand that certain aspects are expected from thrillers, therefore helping me identify these within the future - whether from the entire film or the opening of a picture. I will take these mainstream conventions into access, by morphing them within my opening of a film task, due to my first decisions being of filming the opening of a thriller movie.
Here are the typical conventions that we noted down:

• A twist at the end - the full picture is usually revealed towards the end of the film, as well as in the lasting scenes. The final moments of the film will reveal the core of the story. Within "The Usual Suspects," Roger 'Verbal' Kint (Kevin Spacey) reveals he is in fact a small time con man, being behind the brains of Keyser Soze, after telling the police lies and twists behind the massacre that we preview of the past throughout the film. His complex narrative helped win this movie two academy awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Spacey's bizarre performance.


• Flashbacks - changes of time periods and shifts are usually noted in thrillers. As Spacey retells his story through an unreliable narrative, we flip back and forth between the past horrific events of crime, to the hazy reports of the present within the calmer FBI office.


• Usually a male cast, due to their stereotypical 'superior' roles within society, which dominate over women. Within "The Usual Suspects", there are little women roles, with the make cast absorbing the screen. This relates to the important crime scenes, as well as the arguments and gun shootings towards the end. Therefore, the director felt that men fit into the role better for this film, whilst the women were sidelined. (Unless a thriller fell under the film noir genre, to where they usually play stronger roles.)


• In relation to the ending of thrillers, the finale of the film is often left open. Therefore, the cases and clues are unsolved, as well as the situations throughout the film not being tied up. Therefore, questions are left lingering within the audiences' mind, leaving thrillers wondering their heads'. 'The Usual Suspects' includes this, due to Verbal telling interrogate Agent David Kujan a pack of lies, which although at first appear to tie the pieces together, end up being revealed as a cunning pack of lies. Therefore, the criminal is not caught.


• On top of the above, the audience has to work out the plot. Due to Kevin Spacey's confusing statements, and the recurring flashbacks, the audience is confused with the narrative, as well as the core of the plot. However, at the end when it is revealed it has all been a lie, the viewer can acknowledge this, as well as look at for the clues throughout the film with another viewing, due to it being a different movie to the one that you believe you've been following. As Hal Hinson for the Washington Post states: "Ultimately, The Usual Suspects may be too clever for its own good. The twist at the end is a corker, but crucial questions remain unanswered. What's interesting, though, is how little this intrudes on our enjoyment. After the movie you're still trying to connect the dots and make it all fit - and these days, how often can we say that?"


• There is little action and violence throughout. It has been diluted, due to the main focus being of the plot, although it does occur on an unexpected basis. The tension of the plot is the focus point, due to it building a harsh atmosphere for the viewers to feel. Within this particular film, there is a gun scene towards the end of the movie, due to the 'criminals' aiming to steal some drugs. There is also a mass explosion, which releases to tension that has been built up throughout.


• First hand accounts tend to be unreliable. Usually told through a non-diegetic narrative, one of the leading roles or characters will retell the story, although it is popular for this narrate to have had an event or situation happen to them, therefore with them aiming for a bias account. For example, Kevin Spacey's voice is heard throughout this motion-picture, usually in a drone, mono-tone manner. However, although he leads us to believe that they are all unknown to who the main villain is, his tone changes when he is revealed in the finale scene, therefore tricking the audience.