Whilst thrillers focus on suspense throughout the entire plot - whether it being through action or the bizarre images, such as sickening shots displayed within "Hard Candy", the suspense within these narratives comes directly from one solitary character. They usually aim to resolve conflicts within their own minds, which are expressed well through the camera to the audience through effective physical expressions, physical manifestations, or physical torsions at play.
Sometimes the suspense comes from within one solitary character where characters must resolve conflicts with their own minds. Usually, this conflict is an effort to understand something that has happened to them. These conflicts are made more vivid with physical expressions of the conflict in the means of either physical manifestations, or physical torsions of the characters at play. These are all mentally torturing for the character.
Whilst thrillers aims to 'thrill' and psychological relate to the process of the mind, the two processed together equals a dangerous mental level for the individuals, to which they battle through with mental strength.
Psychological thrillers follow a series of literacy devices and techniques. These are as follows:
- 'Stream of consciousness' - this is a technique used to describe an individuals point of view, which is written for the character's thought processes. This is usually described through the character's psyche - in description or visual imagery.
- First-person narrative - this is when the plot is told by one of more of the characters, when the individual refers to them self as first person - "I". This is direct, automatically allowing us to know that the character it as one with the story, as well as the audience acknowledging the mechanics of the characters' mind
- Back-story - this is when the history behind the story is told at the start, introducing the main plot deepening both the psychological aspects as well as allowing the viewer to know what the character's motivations are and and their past is shaped.
Various different themes have been explored throughout history from psychological thrillers, too. These include:
- Reality
- Perception
- Mind
- Existence/Purpose
- Identity
- Death
Moreover, after studying this sub-genre, it is recognisable to converge within my plot of my opening film. Due to it being quite mysterious with a drama element, instantly it is recognizable. I am aiming to 'thrill' my audience likewise to the typical Thriller genre, although my opening will also have a hint of a horror element within it, too, adding to the psychological twist. Therefore, I believe the psychological label is better suited.
On top of this, my character opens up the piece, as she will be situated within the quiet setting of the bedroom, hinting she may be the typical 'final girl'. However, more characters are introduced, with the mysterious red-hooded female who she dreams of, therefore toying with her mentality - dealing with both her mental state, nightmare torture - possibly leading to insomnia, a realistic moral issue - as well as appearing to battle with her opponent, as this character appears negative. Also, related to the conventions, her mind is toyed with, dealing with her emotions; we view the world through her perception due to the first-person narrative; the theme of purpose is toyed with, as she deals with the recurrent dreams, pondering their meaning and almost death and identity, as she ponders who this sickening individual is, as well as wondering why they are troubling her. We also witness the film through her consciousness, as we delve into her dreams, as well as begin with the backstory, due to her opening the film with how the dreams started in the past. Therefore, this genre is ideal for my opening story.
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