Analysis of the Thriller Genre:

By Tom Burden

Analysis of the Thriller Genre:

One of the first films ever to receive the title of Thriller was titled The Lodger. This was a 1926 silent film based on the story of Jack the Ripper (a 19th Century serial killer). This film was followed up by one called Blackmail released in 1929. This is, to many, considered the first true thriller film because, as it was the first British film to use sound, it created the first few traits that are still synonymous with the genre to this day. Both of these movies were created by Alfred Hitchcock.

History and Origins:

Hammer Films:

British film company founded in 1934

The company is best known for a series of Gothic "Hammer Horror" films made from the mid-1950s until the 1970s.

Hammer also produced science fiction, thrillers, film noir and comedies

Hammer have produce many films including: The Curse of Frankenstein, Dracula, Let Me In and The Woman in Black

Syncopy Inc:

British film company based in London England founded in 2001

Director Christopher Nolans privately owned studio

Heavily recognised with bringing back practical effects into a world dominated by CGI

Known for creating films such as Inception and The Dark Knight

Prominent Film Studios:

Christopher Nolan:

British film director, screenwriter, and producer

His nine films have grossed over $4.2 billion worldwide and garnered a total of 26 Oscar nominations and seven awards.

Nolan has created many critically praised Thrillers including: Inception, The Dark Knight Trilogy and Memento

Alfred Hitchcock:

English film director and producer

He pioneered many techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres

He was the first known director know to use point of view shots

His stories often feature fugitives on the run from the law alongside blonde female characters

Prominent Film Directors:

There are multiple different events created to honour the Thriller genre:

Empire Awards for Best Thriller:

This is an award presented by the British Film Magazine Empire. Its purpose is to honour the best thriller film from the previous year and is decided by Empire Magazine readers via an online vote.

Saturn Awards:

Created to honour the films which best reflect the genre from that year. Categories relating to the included the Best Thriller Film awards

Awards Ceremonies:

Intense Excitement

Suspense - created through use of sound (frequently sound bridges during the title sequence)

Uncertainty (frequently done through lack of immediate exposition which surrounds specific characters in mystery)

Bursts of Action

Mysterious characters (in order to keep the audience questioning what they know about him/her and, therefore, keeping them engaged).

General Traits of the Genre:

The Thriller genre has seen multiple successes since it was pioneered by Alfred Hitchcock back in the early 1900s. Commercially, the greatest success that the genre has seen is the 2012 film Skyfall which grossed $1,108.6 worldwide (coming in at number 9 on the all-time grossing chart). Although commercial success has not always been commonplace for the genre, critical success, on the other hand, comes in spades. For example, both Zero Dark Thirty and Gravity scored most highly in critical reviews from 2012 and 2013 respectively (both averaging around a score of 7.6 9 from almost all establishments).

Success of the Genre?