Thriller conventions

A crime at the core of the narrative (often murder, but not necessarily).

A complex narrative structured, with false paths, clues and resolutions.

A narrative pattern of establishing enigmas which the viewer expects to be resolved.

A protagonist who is systematically dis-empowered and drawn into a complex web of intrigue by the antagonist.

Extraordinary events happening in ordinary situation.

Themes of identity.

Themes of mirroring.

Themes of voyeurism.

Protagonist with a ‘flaw’ which is exploited by the antagonist.

Titles often reflect an aspect of the protagonist or antagonist’s psychological state.

There is often a scene near the end of the film in which the protagonist in peril.

Mise-en-scene which echoes/mirrors the protagonist’s plight.