History of a thriller film- Miss Georgiou

History of thrillers 

1. If the genre is to be defined strictly, a genuine thriller is a film that rentlessly pursues a single-minded goal - to provide thrills and keep the audience cliff-hanging at the 'edge of their seats' as the plot builds towards a climax. (definition came from Google) 

   
   

   timeline of thrillers 

   
   

   The nineteen forties: 

   
   

   

   Theatrical release poster of the film BEFORE I HANG 

   Before I Hang is a 1940 American thriller/horror as well as a science fiction film released via columbia pictures. Said film was directed via Nick Grinde although it was under the working title 'The Wizard of Death', it was one of several films Karloff starred in contract with Columbia. 
   
   

   
   
   
   

   
   

   
   

   

   
   

   Theatrical release poster for the film FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT 

   
   

   Foreign Correspondent is an American spy thriller  film from 1940 directed via the infamous thriller director Alfred Hitchcock. The plot revolves around the story of an American reporter which tries to expose enemy spies within Britain, a series of events involving a continent-wide conspiracy which eventually leads to the events of a fictionalised world war two. It stars Laraine Day  and features Joel McCrea,Herbert Marshall, George Sanders, Robert Benchley and Edmund Gwenn, along with Albert Bassermann.
   
   Here is a video from you tube of director Hitchcock talking about his works on Foregin Correspondent:
   

   
   
   
   

   
   

   

   
   

   Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE (13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980) was an English producer and film director. Often referred to by a nickname "The Master of Suspense", he displayed various techniques in the suspense as well as the psychological thriller genres.After a successful career within British cinema in both silent films and early talkies, renowned as England's best director, Hitchcock decided to moved to Hollywood  in 1939 where he became a US citizen in 1955. Over a career spanning more than half a century, Hitchcock fashioned for himself a distinctive and recognisable directorial style.

   

   
   

   
   

    Kiss of Death is a film noir from 1947 directed by Henry Hathaway and written by Ben Hecht, alongside Charles Lederer based around a story by author Eleazar Lipsky. Said story is about a former robber played by actor Victor Mature swell as the ruthless, violent Tommy Udo portrayed via Richard Widmark. The movie also starred Brain Donlevy and introduced Coleen Gray in her first billed role. The film has since received much critical praise, with two Academy Award nominations. 

   
   

   Here is a scene from the film, the set up is much more innocent than to many of the thrillers you would see today, the innocence adds shock factor to the not so innocent happenings of the thriller hence it is conventional to one.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   the nineteen fifties: 

   
   

   
   

   The killer that stalked New York

   

   
   

   The Killer That Stalked New York (also known as Frightened City) is a film noir from 1950 starring actress Evelyn Keyes. The Killer That Stalked New York was shot on location within a semi-documentary style. The film is based on the real threat of a smallpox epidemic in the city, as described in a story taken from a 1948 issue Cosmopolitan magazine with an article on the subject.

   
   

   plot: 

   Arriving at New York City's Pennsylvania Station after a journey to Cuba, Sheila Bennet  a character of whom is portrayed by the actress Evelyn Keyes, whom is smuggling $50,000 worth of diamonds with her into the country, whilst doing so she realises that she's being followed via the authorities. In reaction to this she mails the diamonds to her husband, Matt Krane portrayed by Charles Korvin, rather than carrying them around, after which then tries to shake the Treasury agent following her.   (information from Wikipedia) 
   

   Here is a scene from the film, as you can see unlike thrillers which we are more likely to watch today not much is done with the lightening in an attempt to create an atmosphere or add to the scene, it appears much more innocent in this system which doesn't match the situation.
   

   
   

   

   Stage fright

   Stage fright is a 1950's British crime thriller which was both directed and produced by the infamous Alfred Hitchcock. The story was adapted for the screen by Ranald MacDougall, Alma Reville and Whitfield Cook Whitfield, with additional dialogue written by James Bridie James, Stage fright was  based upon the novel Man Running' by Selwyn Jepson. A lot of the plot has a theatrical setting. There is a female protagonist; also early on the film features an account delivered via an unreliable narrator that the audience sees as though it is as flashback. The plot is also punctuated by numerous humorous scenes.

   
   

   As you would still see in thrillers today, music is added to the film for dramatic effect etc however the music used in the 1950's is very different to the music used now it is much more classical it stands out much more than the general type of music which would be used within most thrillers today at times it may take some viewers away from the actual film.

   
   

   

   
   Dial M for Murder

   
   The storyline for the film was adapted for the screen via Whitfield Cook, Ranald Macdougall and lastly Alma Reville who was also the director’s wife. Whitfield, with additional dialogue written via James Bridie, based on the novel ‘Man running’ written by Selwyn Jepson.

   Much of the plot has a theatrical setting. There is a female protagonist, and early on the film features a narrative via an ‘unreliable narrator’ that the audience views as a true flashback. The plot is also punctuated by numerous humorous scenes.

    

   This scene experiments with the lighting in a much more extreme way to most thrillers of today, the whole changing of the lighting appears very theatrical like which makes the whole aspect appear rather unrealistic and potentially to some viewers could become much more funny than serious.

   
   

   
   

   

   The killling

   The killing is an American thriller from the year 1956, directed by Stanley Kubrick at the age of 27 being his third film. With a certificate rate of PG many people believe that to be a truly scary film the rating needs to be higher, yet the killing is still classed in the category of a thriller. 
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4. The nineteen sixties
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6.  Psycho
7. psycho is an American horror/thriller from 1960 directed by popular director of the genre Alfred Hitchcock. Starring the likes of Janet Leigh, Anthony Perkins, John Gavin and Vera Miles. The screenplay written by Joseph Stefano is based upon the 1959 novel with the same title by author Robert Bloch loosely inspired via the crimes committed by grave robber Ed Gein and Wisconsin murderer.  
9. This scene displays music typical of the thriller genre even in today's film this type of music would be suited to a thriller, it's very engaging as it allows the audience the knowledge that something unjust is occurring, it also builds suspense as viewers await the surprise they are expecting. Again as they would be within thrillers today the close ups shot within the screen obtain great importance, they provide hints to the audience of the male characters personality, his facial expressions suggest  a change in his thoughts at certain points or the uncovering of an act he is putting on. However for some audience member's the scene may appear a little 'to set up' it doesn't appear particularly natural in some parts, the tone of the actors voices appear much more innocence as though they are aware that they are playing a part rather than being themselves. It could be seen that the actors are being more careful or the liners we're more carefully structured regarding guidelines to film which were harsher during this period. 
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11. Taste of fear 
12. Original theatrical poster 
13. Taste of fear or as it in known in America 'Scream of fear' is a 1961 British thriller by director Seth Holt which was shot in black and white by Douglas Slocombe, released with Hammer films. Although the film wasn't a large success in either the united kingdom or the united states it grew very popular within Europe and led to many similar films.
14.  Pretty poison

Pretty Poison is a 1968 psychological thriller from director Noel Black, starring Anthony Perkins along side Tuesday Weld, revolving around the antics of an ex-convict and a cheerleader in high school. Although the film isn’t generally considered as an example of neo-noir, the film does include certain elements of the genre, such as a Femme fatale, a character trapped into circumstances beyond his control, criminal protagonists and, murder. The film is based around the novel ‘She Let Him Continue’ by author Stephen Geller; hence this was the working title of the film.

  

plot information:

Main character Dennis Pitt is a very disturbed man on parole from a mental institution while he becomes attracted to teenager Sue Ann Stepenek. He lies to the young girl by telling her that he is a secret agent, and takes her along on a series of so called "missions" which result in murder. While Dennis is racked with guilt over both what he has done and what he has allowed to happen, Sue Ann is excited by the "adventure" and entreats Dennis to run away with her to Mexico. First, however, the pair has to find a way to deal with Sue’s mother. Dennis is aware that the police will take Sue Ann's word over his own, so he takes the blame for their crimes. Sue Ann, meanwhile, betrays him easily and quickly, leading him into a prison sentence set for life. Dennis however is more than happy to be locked up, as it keeps him far away from Sue Ann, who he has now become rather frightened of. While Dennis won’t tell skeptical parole officer Azenauer the truth about whats really going on, he asks the officer  to "see what Sue Ann is up to" hoping she will be exposed. The film ends with Sue Ann meeting a young man and lamenting to him that the people who took her in after her mother's death won't let her stay out late; it is implied that she will use and destroy him the way that she did to Dennis. However Dennis's parole officer is watching as she deals with her latest victim.

The nineteen seventies: 
The Kremlin letter

The Kremlin letter is an American spy/ thriller film, directed by John Huston released in in February of 1970 by 20th century fox, the screenplay was written as a faithful adaption of the novel by Noel Behn. In 2009 the film was listed in in 100 greatest spy movies: A special collectors edition in magazine- American History.

 PLAY MISTY FOR ME

Play Misty for me is yet another psychological thriller film, from America brought out in 1971, directed by Clint Eastwood as his directorial debut. Eastwood also starred in the film as Dave Garver, among being an actor and director Eastwood is also a composer and a producer, he reached his international fame with his role as the man with no name in Sergio Leone's Dollars trilogy of spaghetti Westerns during the 1960's as well as his role as Harry Callahan in the five Dirty Harry films during the 1970's through to the 1980's.

plot:

Dave Garver is a KRML radio jockey who broadcasts nightly from a studio in Camel-by-the-sea, California,  often incorporating poetry into his program. At his favourite bar, as what appears to be by coincidence, he encounters a woman called Evelyn Draper. Dave offers to drive Evelyn home, where she informs him that their meeting was in fact not coincidental; that she deliberately sought him out after hearing the bar mentioned on his radio show. He guesses correctly that she is a recurring caller who always requests the jazz standard "Misty." The pair then sleeps together. Evelyn begins to display symptoms of severe borderline personality disorder. She begins by showing up at Dave's house uninvited. She also disrupts a business meeting, mistaking Dave's lunch companion - a representative who has come to offer him a career opportunity - for his date.

Despite his best efforts to gradually and gently sever ties with Evelyn, she feels abandoned as well as lonely and angry. These feelings eventually lead her to attempt suicide at his home. After another rejection from Dave, Evelyn breaks into his house, where his housekeeper finds her maniacally vandalizing his possessions. Evelyn stabs the housekeeper with a knife and as a result is committed to a psychiatric hospital. During Evelyn's incarceration, Dave finds himself back in a relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Tobie Williams. A few months later, Evelyn again calls the studio to request "Misty." She tells Dave that she has been released and is moving to Hawaii to give herself a fresh start in life. She then quotes an Edgar Allan poem, "Annabel Lee". That night, while Dave is asleep, Evelyn attempts to kill him with a butcher knife. However Dave fights her, coursing her to flee, and Dave contacts the police. Dave tells Tobie about Evelyn and is put under a caution to stay well away from Dave until the woman is caught. For her own safety, she returns to her home. There, she meets with a girl who answered her ad for a roommate: Evelyn, using the alias Annabel. Tobie eventually realizes that Annabel is Evelyn, but before she can escape, Evelyn takes her hostage. Evelyn also murders McCallum, a police detective who had come to check on Tobie. At the radio station, Dave makes the connection between Tobie's roommate and the quote from "Annabel Lee". When he calls Tobie to warn her, Evelyn answers and says she and Tobie are waiting for him. Dave switches from a live show to taped music and rushes to the house, where he finds Tobie bound and gagged. Evelyn attacks again with the butcher knife. Unable to take it from her, he punches Evelyn, knocking her out a window and down a cliff. Dave and Tobie look down at Evelyn's dead body as Dave's voice on the taped radio show dedicates "Misty" to Evelyn plays one final time.

The music for the trailer appears to be very misleading for a modern day viewer, the way in which the characters voices sound much more innocent as to the way actors pronounce their words within films today, you can tell that this film was made at a time where restrictions on films were much harsher and it was harder for them to do anything a little bit controversial.

 Thriller a cruel picture

Thriller – A Cruel Picture (Swedish: Thriller – en grym film, also known as They Call Her One Eye, Hooker's Revenge and Thriller) is a 1973 Swedish exploitation film which is called within in the "rape and revenge" genre both written and directed via Bo Arne Vibenius  under the stage name "Alex Fridolinski". The film tells the story of a mute young woman being forced into a heroin addiction, for which she has to work as a prostitute, and her revenge on the men responsible

  Jaws 

The film Jaws is a 1975 American thriller film directed via the famous Steven Spielberg based on Peter Benchley’s novel with the same title. The prototypical summer blockbuster, its release is regarded as a watershed moment in motion picture history. In the story, a giant man eating great white shark which attacks beachgoers on Amity Island, a fictional summer resort town, prompting the local police chief to hunt it with the help of a marine biologist and a professional shark hunter. The film stars Roy Scheider as police Chief Martin Brody, Richard Dreyfuss as oceanographer Matt Hooper, Robert Shaw as shark hunter Quint, Murray Hamilton as the mayor of Amity Island, and Lorraine Gary  as Brody's wife, Ellen. The screenplay is credited to both Benchley, who wrote the first drafts, and actor-writer Carl Gottlieb, who rewrote the script during principal photography.

Generally well received by critics, Jaws became the highest-grossing film in history at the time, and it was the most successful motion picture of all time until the Star wars series. It won several awards for its soundtrack and editing and is often cited as one of the greatest films of all time.  As well as Star Wars, Jaws was pivotal in establishing the modern Hollywood business model, which revolves around blockbuster action and adventure pictures with simple "high - concept" premises that are released during the summer in thousands of theaters and supported by heavy advertising. It was followed by three sequels, none with the participation of Spielberg or Benchley, and many imitative thrillers. In 2001, Jaws was selected by the Libary of congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry,  being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

Here is the opening scene from Jaws:

Straight away a modern audience is able to tell that this scene was produced during a period when the quality of cameras wasn't so high, the picture is at times unclear the audience isn't receiving a good enough quality in today's world to feel as though they are really there.


Carrie
Carrie is a 1976 American supernatural thriller/horror film  based upon author Stephen King's novel of 1974 with a matching title. Said film was directed via Brian De Palma and written by Lawrence D. Cohen.
Carrie received two Academy Awards nominations, the film also featured numerous young and coming actors including Nancy Allen, Amy Irving, William Katt and John Travolta whom careers were either launched or escalated from the film. Carrie also had the power to relaunch the career of actress Piper Laurie who portrayed the role of Carrie's abusive mother, Laurie had been out of the industry since 1961.

Here is a scene from Carrie, which isn't much different to a typical thriller film we could see today, aside from the camera quality. If the film was done today more effects probably could have been used  in regards to her power which would make her differences more apparent to the viewer as well as providing her with a more frightening edge.

Things are done within the film which couldn't be done within a film set within today's time period for instance teachers hitting students etc as social standards have since changed and it is not only now seen as unacceptable for teachers to hit students but it is illegal.

Throughout the film the audience is made to feel rather sorry for Carrie, she is shown to be this innocent sweet girl who not only has a difficult home life with her mother being religiously obsessed so much so that she forces her to pray for forgiveness for receiving her period but she also faces difficulties at school with her peers, as what appears to be due to her odd up bringing Carrie can appear rather clueless leaving her set out from the rest this is something which she can be picked on for. Although her caring teacher sympathies with Carrie and understands that she hasn't been introduced to life in a way which most people would consider normal she still finds her behavior to be frustrating and can understand why the other girls pick on Carrie for her oddness. This teacher is also well aware of the ill doing behind what one of the girls in Carrie's PE class tired to make appear a kind deed of persuading her boyfriend to take Carrie to the prom however this teacher doesn't stop this some taking place instead she focuses on making sure that Carrie enjoys her night a goal which was achieved until towards the end of the night.

Pigs blood is poured all over Carrie as she stands on the stage accepting her role as prom queen, for Carrie this is the final straw having come to grips with her powers she is now able to use them at a strong force, coursing complete destruction within the prom due to the period there was limitations to the effect of certain editing styles etc within this scene however the latest remake of the film would have been able to do much more with the scene due to the rise in modern day technology.


The nineteen eighties 

 Dressed to kill

Dressed to Kill is a 1980 erotic crime thriller film both written and directed by Brain De Palma. Starring Michael Caine, Nancy Allen, Keith Gordon, and Angie Dickinson. Revolving around the basis of the murder of a housewife and an investigation involving a young prostitute who witnessed the murder, the victim’s teenaged son and her psychiatrist. 

The cut in our victims hand coursed by the knife doesn't look as realistic as it should do if it was shot in a later period, the blood seeping from it as the camera zooms out should also look more life like, the blood splattered across the buttons as we see a close up of them should also be more realistic if shot today.

The theme to the film as shown within this clip is very conventional to a thriller, it contains elements of horror, murder, tension, suspense a female victims, a hidden identity, a chosen weapon. The moment when the woman trying to help the victims eyes meet that of the glasses of the killer is very chilling and very relevant to a thriller as the connection between the two is tense and thrilling, it courses adrenaline as the audience awaits what will happen next the killer is clearly unstable and capable of doing all kinds of damage to this woman, the audience feels relaxed as the woman drops her knife only to receive a second rise as her motives for doing so become clear.
 Eyewitness

Eyewitness is a thriller film from 1981 about a television news reporter and a janitor who team up to solve a murder. The film was directed by Peter Yates, written by Steve Tesich and stars William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, and Christopher Plummer.

plot:
New York janitor Daryll Deever (Hurt) is an avid fan of television news reporter Tony Sokolow (Weaver). A wealthy man suspected of criminal connections is murdered in Daryll's office building and Tony suspects Deever knows something about it.
She keeps after him for information, a pursuit Daryll allows because he is romantically interested in Tony, and a "cat and mouse" game ensues. This convinces the real killers that Daryll does know vital information about the murder, so he and Tony end up with their lives in danger over this false assumption.

(plot information taken from Wikipedia)


Deathtrap
Deathtrap is a thriller from 1982 based on Ira Levin's play of the same name. Starring Micheal Caine whom portrays a very successful playwright for Broadway and Christopher Reeve.


 Visiting hours

Visiting hours or as it is also known 'get well soon' and 'the fright' is a thriller/slasher from 1982 directed by Jean-Claude Lorde and released with 20th century fox. The film is centered around a feminist journalist that becomes the target of the film serial killer who follows her to the hospital after attacking her at her home.

Here is a scene from the film:

At 0:45 there is a long shot of the scene, we see the stress ball being toyed with in the man closet to the cameras hand as the man laying in the bed has a blurred lens over him, this is done so that the audience focuses on the mans hand but still sees the man in the hospital bed the audience is expected to view this mans way of playing with the toy standing in front of a man unable to defend himself laying down in a hospital bed as rather threatening to his well being. Viewers are suppose to recognize this hand movement with someone who is either dangerous or unstable hence building suspense as the audience awaits the build up of what is to happen next between the two men.

What happens next happens very suddenly this is done to make some audience members jump as what as to empathize what is happening and how little control the man in the bed has over the situation. A close up of his face is done to show just how terrified he is the audience sympathies with him as it is plain to see he is scared and in great discomfort as this man has total control over him some audience members will hope that someone comes in to save him.

After which we are shown a close up of the antagonist his face is set to frighten the view and to make them see just how dead set he is on his mission this shot is also displaying the protagonists sight which is aimed to give the audience another reason to feel sorry for him.


Masquerade

Masquerade is a 1988 American romance/ mystery/thriller film directed via Bob Swaim. Starring Rob Lowe, Meg Tilly, Kim Cattrall, and Doug Savant. Written by Dick Wolf, the film is about a recently orphaned millionaires who falls in love with a young yacht racing captain who isn't completely truthful with her about his past. The film was nominated for the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best (Mystery) Motion Picture in 1989.

As the scene begins the body language of the two men suggests that there is great tension between them this creates suspense as the audience wonders what will come of it. Some audience members may be surprised as the man in uniform kicks an object across the room, this indicates that this is quite an aggressive man and makes the audience consider whether a physical fight will break out between the pair. Viewers could be shocked as the man in uniform pulls very aggressively at the other mans head then doesn't do anything, it indicates that although this man has a short temper he is aware of his problem and does try to stop it however it does show that if pushed far enough this man could react in a very nasty way. This identity s him as a clear antagonist as not only is his behavior seen as horrible but he also appears rather psychotic. 

Kill me again

Kill me again is a thriller neo noir American film from 1989, the film tells the story of a young woman who escapes from her abusive boyfriend then hires character Jack Andrews who is a second class private investigator to plan and make it appear as though she is dead.

 Blue steel

Blue Steel is a 1989 American action/thriller film directed via Kathryn Bigelow, starring  Halloween's Jamie Lee Curtis, Clancy Brown and Ron Silver. Blue Steel was originally set to be released via Vestron Pictures as well as its offshoot label Lightning Pictures. But it was ultimately acquired by MGM due to Vestron's financial problems and eventual bankruptcy at the time.



The nineteen ninety's

Sleeping with the enemy

Sleeping with the Enemy is a 1991 psychological  type of thriller film directed via director Joesph Ruben and starring Pretty Woman's Julia Roberts. The film is based on Nancy Price's 1987 book with a matching title. Roberts portrays a woman who escapes from her abusive, obsessive husband from Cape Cod  to Cedar Falls Iowa, , where by she captures the attention of a kindly college drama teacher.

(text from Wikipedia)

 The crush
The Crush is yet another Psychological thriller from American in 1993. Both written and directed by Alan Shapiro, which stars  Clueless's Alicia Silverstone alongside Cary Elwes  in Silverstone's feature film debut. It was filmed on location from 24 September 1992 - 20 November 1992 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Within the editing of the film for broadcast TV, the character of Darian's name(Darian is the girl the story is based on) was changed to Adrian after a lawsuit against Shapiro by the real-life Darian Forrester. The VHS and laserdisc versions of the film still use the original name, but DVD releases and later cable TV airings also change the name to Adrian. The plot of The Crush was based on an actual incident involving the neighbor of writer Shapiro.
Here is a scene from the following film:

This scene demonstrates good use of exaggerating sound. Film makers have taken the on screen sound of Adrian screaming and exaggerated in to make the audience jump and create suspense as viewers await the news as to why she is screaming. The sound of her screams have been fitted to the tense adrenalin building music this is done to make the scene more frightening and really grab the audiences attention. Their is a close up of Nick's face as he turns around to face a screaming Adrian as he does we can see in his face that his attitudes towards her have changed a great deal as the film has progressed this shows how much of a nice person he really is to have tolerated her for so long as well as how far she has gone to course him to react in the way that he is.The sound of Nick punching Adrian is also exaggerated for a similar effect as well as to dramatist the situation.

The firm

The Firm is a 1993 American legal thriller film from director Sydney Pollack. Starring Tom Cruise, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Gene Hackman, Holly Hunter, Ed Harris, Hal Holbrook and David Strathairn. The film is based on the 1991 novel 'The Firm' by novelist John Grisham.

Doppelganger
Doppelganger (a.k.a. Doppelganger: The Evil Within) is a 1993 film starring Drew Barrymore. The story follows Holly Gooding (Barrymore),as she moves from NYC to LA after being implicated in a murder. Holly is followed by what is supposedly her own evil twin. Whilst in LA, Holly finds a room for rent via a writer and the pair embrace on a love affair. After some strange occurrences, it becomes less and less clear whether the woman is in fact Holly or her Doppelganger. She finds a roommate to share an apartment, and befriends him. Patrick ( the writer) soon starts to realize something is odd about Holly. As he spends more and more time with her things heat up and he falls for her. Not knowing that she is as crazy as her brother Fred, who is in a physiciatric hospital after killing his own father. And when Patrick finds out that Holly's mother was murdered and she was the prime suspect, he starts doubting her sanity. But by that time he is too attached to her and does not want her going to jail. So when her brother Fred is attacked and she once more is a suspect he decides he is going to get to the bottom of it no matter what.

 Seven
Seven (stylized as Se7en)^[3] is a 1995 American neo-noir thriller film written by Andrew Kevin Walker and directed by David Fincher. The film stars Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, with Gwyneth Paltrow, R. Lee Ermey, John C. McGinley, and Kevin Spacey in supporting roles.
The newly transferred David Mills (Pitt) and the soon-to-retire William Somerset (Freeman) are homicide detectives who become deeply involved in the case of a sadistic serial killer (Spacey) whose meticulously planned murders correspond to the seven deadly sins: gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, pride, lust and envy.
The film was released in the United States on September 22, 1995. Grossing $327 million at the box office internationally, Seven was a commercial success, and received positive reviews.
(From Wikipedia)

 Eye for an eye
Eye for an Eye is a 1996 American crime thriller film directed by John Schlesinger, written by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver. The film stars Sally Field, Kiefer Sutherland, Ed Harris, Beverly D'Angelo and Joe Mantegna. The story was adapted from Erika Holzer's novel of the same name. The film opened on January 12, 1996.
This film was remade in India as the Hindi film Dushman (1998) starring Kajol in a double role.
(information from Wikipedia)

 Conspiracy theory

Conspiracy Theory is a 1997 American action thriller film directed by Richard Donner.
The original screenplay by Brian Helgeland centers on an eccentric taxi driver (Mel Gibson) who believes many world events are triggered by government conspiracies, and the U.S. Justice Department attorney (Julia Roberts) who becomes involved in his life.
The movie was a financial success,^[1] but critical reviews were mixed.
(information from Wikipedia)

Psycho

Psycho is a 1998 American mystery horror thriller film produced and directed by Gus Van Sant for Universal Pictures, a remake of the 1960 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Both films are adapted from Robert Bloch's 1959 novel of the same name, which was in turn inspired by the crimes of Wisconsin serial killer Ed Gein.
Although this version is in color, features a different cast, and has been set in a contemporary timeframe, it is closer to a shot-for-shot remake than most remakes, often copying Hitchcock's camera movements and editing, and Joseph Stefano's script is mostly carried over. Bernard Herrmann's musical score is reused as well, though with a new arrangement by Danny Elfman and recorded in stereo. Some changes are introduced to account for advances in technology since the original film and to make the content more explicit. Murder sequences are also intercut with surreal dream images. The film was both a commercial and critical failure in contrast to its 1960 antecedent, which had been highly successful in both fields.
(text is from Wikipedia)

The two thousands 

American Psycho

American Psycho is a 2000 film starring Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman - a wealthy investment banker living in Manhattan during the late 1980's, over all the film generally received good reviews with critics main praise being focused on the screenplay as well as Bale's portrayal of the role. The film has since developed it's own cult following, even having its own musical of which actors such as Mat Smith joined the cast in which he took the role of Bateman.

The beginning of the opening scene to American Psycho as shown above works in juxtaposition to the ending, it starts with a calming atmosphere this is set by a variety of things including the music and colours of the setting that is his apartment.

Many things within this mans apartment provide clues as to who he may be, the actual building itself suggests that he is of good wealth and successful within a high regarded job. There is a clear shot of a poster for popular musical 'les miserables' this provides further belief to the idea of this being a nice, clam, well thought of man, stereo-typically this is often the way men within good jobs who are interested in theater are viewed.

The audiences first sign that this man may not be living the perfect life he seems to be occurs once we are introduced to his evident vanity and obsessive strict routine. However although there have been hints of a sinister motion the scene has remained almost like an advert for the ideal perfect working man in America until the music changes. The scene becomes more harsh this is where the character begins to inform us of his hidden intentions, his true mind which he has hidden with his typical charade life.



 Fulltime killer
Fulltime Killer (simplified Chinese: 全职杀手; traditional Chinese: 全職殺手) is a 2001 Hong Kong action film produced and directed by Johnnie To, and also written, produced and directed by Wai Ka-fai, and also produced by and starring Andy Lau. The film was released in the Hong Kong on August 3, 2001.
The film is based on Pang Ho-cheung's novel of the same name. It is informally known by Hong Kong English title You & I.

(information found on Wikipedia)


Femme Fatale

Femme Fatale is a 2002 French mystery/ thriller film realsed in 2002 director via Brain De Palma. Starring Rebecca  Romijn alongisde Antoni Banderas. The film was screened out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival in 2002.


Kill Bill volume 1
Kill Bill Volume 1 is an American thriller/martial arts action film both written and directed by the beloved Quentin Tarantino Starring Uma Thurman as the bride who seeks revenge on an assassination squad led via Bill portayed by David Carradine after the squad attempts kills her and kills her unborn baby. This isn't the first time Uma Thurman and Tarantion have worked together they have also worked on classic 'Pulp fiction' when they decided to work together again the idea of Kill Bill came about. The film is the first of two Kill Bill films produced at the same time and was followed by the second volume the next year.

Here is the end scene from Kill Bill Volume 1:

Although the music for this scene is rather peaceful the audience has been warned that what is to come wont be so calm as it is contrasted by the death list Thurman's character is writing out between scenes. As well as the characters talking about pain and suffering the music does however nod towards Thurman's characters quest to find revenge it also shows how shes attempting to move on and accept what has happened and how she is finding a way to come back at her past.  

Phone booth
Phone booth is a 2002 American physiological thriller centered on a man who is held hostage within a phone booth whilst being watching from afar by a man claiming to be a sniper. The film stars Conlin Farrell as well as Katie Holmes, Radha Mitchell and Forest Whitaker.

Whilst usually the concept of a film almost all taking place in a phone booth sounds as though it was done on a tight budget and rather dated, something that would happen in the production in a film many years ago before the improvements in film production took place 'Phone booth' puts a modern spin on the concept and makes it rather interesting.

Suspense is built up through the character of the supposed sniper, although the audience grows to understand that Stew is far from innocent they still hope for the safety of him and those around him, this man on the other end of the line portrays himself to be rather psychotic (a typical thriller convention) making the audience fear him further as it seems that he could do anything without remorse this feeling becomes scarier and more realistic once the angry man demanding that Stew leave the phone booth is shot.

The story line is so deep and intense that no other location is needed, the area in which the phone booth is situated is such a busy one anyway that it could never become boring, scenes else where are not only unneeded but they could potentially distract the audience away from what is happening hence losing the suspense which is being built up throughout.



Underworld
Underworld 2003 is the first installment in it's series starring Kate Beckinsale. The film tells the audience of the tales of the secret history of vampires.

The scene begins with a narrative from main character Selene, this really sets the tone for the set of films and she introduces us to her world, the setting is key as it suggests something darker than you would see in real life.The over tone of her voice shows that this film has more of a story to it than most, it isn't going to be about something which could actually happen in the real world it is a fantasy, the modern edited exaggerated weathering effects adds to this, it provides the story with a powerful vibe making it appear that there is a deep twisted side to the story involving people who have something on the average person through powers which most cannot physically contain.

Likewise placing Selene on a high platform looking down at the world associates her with this power. These early clues keep the audience's attention as they learn that they will learn answers to questions through analyzing whats going on around the characters rather than just from what is being said.

As it is later discovered that Selene is actually in the middle of a situation to do with the kinds of begins included within her introduction it suggests that she is really thinking about what is going on around her and what has been for centuries it also shows her to be someone of a good insight which makes viewers listener to her and trust what she has to say even more.

The background music fits with the idea of this being a dark supernatural story. It builds tension as the audience awaits proof of said theory and really brings them into the world of the unknown as it adds to the theme.

Watching Selene jump from the high building also brings us into this world, as she jumps we are taken away from the scene where she is bringing us into the element once she reaches the grown we realize that now we are watching acts which are happening in the moment right in front of us this is the present no longer her narrating her life and the world around her but her living it.


The Prestige

The prestige is a 2006 drama/thriller film directed via Christopher Nolan. The film stars Hugh Jackman, Micheal Caine, Scarlet Johansson, Christain Bale and Rebecca Hall. The plot of said film investigates the rivalry between stage musicians within London at the end of the 19th century.

As shown above the more into the thriller genre we have become the less important it has become for films to really stand out as being a thriller. Yes they remain to stay close to the genre as otherwise it wouldn't really be a thriller film and they display many conventions towards one by doing so however they do not over use effects used purely to scare for instance dark lighting and scary music. Some thriller films are now comfortable enough to stand as a thriller without having to display that it is one throughout. It is able to display scenes such as the one above where the characters are in the mist of a disagreement with a clear protagonist and antagonist yet done in a more casual way this is able to have the effect of being much more casual and relate-able then that of a typical thriller scene between the two as often those situations with the genre can appear unrealistic with viewers often retorting saying things such as 'that wouldn't happen' or 'what an idiot, why would you do that?'.

One way in which that scene does however display conventions of a thriller is through the use of having a 'man in uniform' as the antagonist this is often done as it provides the antagonist further more with the power that need in order to partake in their activities.

I know who killed me
I Know Who Killed Me is a 2007 American thriller/horror film by director Chris Sivertson and starring well known child actress Lindsay Lohan. This is the second film Lohan plays twins in after first taking on the job as a young girl in the parent trap 1998.
The film's story revolves around a student who was abducted and tortured by a sadistic serial killer. She manages to make it out alive but after she regains consciousness in the hospital she insists that her identity is that of another woman.
The film was released on July 27, 2007 to which it received very negative reviews. The film itself was nominated for nine Golden Raspberry Awards out of which it "won" eight, setting a new record for most awards "won" in a single year. Lohan tied with herself to win worst actress as well as winning worst screen couple for both characters she portrayed.

This scene from 'I know who killed me' begins with confusion, we see Lohan's character wake up unsure of what is going on around her, she doesn't recognize people she should camera angles are shot from her point of view so that the audience are able to gain a greater idea of what she is going through. We are able to imagine what it is like for her to wake up unsure of what is happening around her with just a view of people staring down at her which could for many viewers potentially be seen as rather intimidating adding further to the effects of this character being our protagonist. 

The scene ends with her distress, as she rejects as expected frightened by the figures towering down over her demanding that they do not touch her. This gains sympathy for her as the protagonist it brings the audience more comfortably on her side as they feel sorry for her and are without any question able to identity her as a victim of some sort therefore hoping that she will find justice as the marked 'good character' which they guided to route for.

Obsessed

  Obsessed is a 2009 American thriller film directed by Steve Shill. The Rainforest Films production stars Idris Elba, Beyoncé and Ali Larter. Obsessed tells the story of Lisa, an office temp played by Larter, who falls in love with her boss, Derek Charles (Elba), and attempts to seduce him. Derek's wife, Sharon (Beyoncé), learns of Lisa's obsessive behavior, and suspects an affair. Screen Gems president Clint Culpepper conceived the basic idea of Obsessed, which was then developed by writer David Loughery, allocated a production budget of $20 million, and filmed in the summer of 2008. Obsessed was inspired by the work of directors Roman Polanski and Alfred Hitchcock, and its score was written by James Dooley. Lisa and Sharon were dressed in contrasting styles to reinforce their conflicting characters. Obsessed opened in US theaters on April 24, 2009, and UK theaters on May 29, 2009, and was distributed by Screen Gems.
Obsessed received generally negative reviews from critics, many of whom were disappointed in the absence of an explanation for Lisa's obsession with Derek. Others noted that the potential theme of interracial conflict between the Charles family, who were black, and Lisa, who was white, was unexplored. The storyline of Obsessed has been compared with that of Fatal Attraction (1987), although film critics disliked the fact that Derek did not yield to Lisa's seduction. The fight scene finale between Sharon and Lisa, however, was commended by reviewers, and won the MTV Movie Award for Best Fight. Obsessed spent its first week atop the US box office, and grossed $73.8 million from theaters, internationally.^[1] Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released the film for home viewing on August 4, 2009 in the US, and it has sold 1.3 million DVDs, worth $21 million of consumer spending.^[2]
(information from Wikipedia)



The two thousand and tens (present day)
Black swan


Black Swan is a 2010 American psychological thriller/horror film brought to Cinema by director Darren Aronofsky, starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis and Vincent Cassel. The plot revolves around a production of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake ballet by a prestigious New York City ballet company. The production requires a ballerina to play the innocent and fragile White Swan, for which the committed dancer Nina (Portman) is a perfect fit, as well as the dark and sensual Black Swan, which are qualities embodied by the new arrival Lily (Kunis). Nina is overwhelmed by a feeling of immense pressure when she finds herself competing for the part, causing her to lose her tenuous grip on reality and descend into a living nightmare.

The above clip displays scenes from the film Black Swan which showcase psychological disorders, these scenes help the audience to better understand her condition if we were simply to be shown what was actually going on in the world around her we would miss out on what it is actually like for her which is crucial as it is important for audience members to understand that it is different for her to properly gain anything from the film.

Viewers are shown things as though they are in her mind set seeing them as realistically as she would however it is important that we understand that this is not a supernatural thriller but psychological. It is effective to show the audience what our protagonist is seeing as it creates further fear for her.

Her condition also makes the film more thrilling as the audience has to decide for them self what it actually happening and what is happening within her own mind for instance the case of whether Mila Kunis's character is really personally attacking her or whether she is simply an aspiring actress?



Limitless
Limitless is a American thriller from 2011, from director Neil Burger starring Bradley Copper alongside Abbie Cornish and Robert De Niro. The film is based around novel 'The dark fields' by Alan Glynn.

Copper's character takes a pill which helps him hugely in general every day life however it does so at a cost. Once you start taking this pills if not done so every day you will die as the film progress a shortage of the pills begins to rise due to the creator dying and any information on how to make the pills are is kept top secret.



The Roomate
The roomate is a 2011 American thriller directed by Christian E Christiansen, starring Minka Kelly,Gossip girl's Leighton Meester, Aly Michalka and Danneel Harris (now Ackles).

Here is a scene from the following film:

This scene begins showing Meester's character looking very creepy sitting up on her bed in a dark room staring at nothing in particular indicating that she is thinking hard about something, the hard panicking beating music suggests that there is something wrong with the girl herself, that there is something sinister about her sitting the way that she is it appears very abnormal which hints at her having deeper hidden issues.

We see her turn off her lamp and then snuggle down into her bed clearly wanting to make it appear to her roommate that she was like this the entire time only she suddenly changes again displaying signs that something is not right with her, she was clearly waiting on her roommate to arrive which in itself is quite odd let alone the fact that she wanted to hide the fact that she was awake from her, but then was so panicked but the fact that she didn't immediately walk back into the room that she forgot her plan completely and went outside to confront her.

The dark circle under her eyes which are displayed as she asks her roommate where she has been suggest that this isn't the only time that she has lost sleep worrying over her which reassures the audience that this really is a problem and wasn't just a one off because she was worried about her friend going out and she had been a while.


Savages
Savages was released in 2012 as an American crime thriller from director Oliver stone, based around the novel savages by Don Winslow. The film stars gossip girl's Blake Lively, Taylor Kitsch, John Travolta and Salma Hayek.

Here is a preview scene to the film:

The music changes as the scene moves to the car, it becomes deeper more sinister this warns the audience that what is about to happen shall contrast the area it is taking place within and the nice shots we have just seen. This is done to show that although we are being shown what appears to be a nice place looks here can be deceiving and bad things do happen as it would appear we are about to be shown.

To begin with this man is provided with a hidden identity, it is hinted to the audience that is man is dangerous as we are seeing the car as though through his point of view, or as if we are sitting in the car ourselves for instance a victim kidnapped in the backseat. The change in music also indicates that this man is dangerous however we do not actually see him, hearing the sweet innocent young girl tell her dad about the man makes him even scarier as this girl doesn't know who he is and he hasn't introduced himself just announced that he wants to speak to the dad it suggests that he is someone this man would rather keep away from his children hence leaving the audience fearing for their safety as well as in suspense wanting to discover who this man is.

The music continues to build along with the panning camera movements as the father walk to the front door where it stops as Lado appears, the importance of the music stopping is that it shows how dangerous this character is, as a result of his presence everything else stops and focuses on him, it makes him appear rather threatening and someone you should watch closely.

Lado takes the father sandwich throws the tomatoes out of it symbolizing that he isn't good enough then eats it enforcing this authority and lack of care for others he is displaying that he can and will do what he wants and that Denis just has to deal with it.

Again this film displays conventions of a thriller such a murder weapon, tense music, intense conversation , both an antagonist and a protagonist as well as innocent children etc however it is not over done with elements of a thriller as though it is having to define itself every few shots. More modern thrillers appear to feel less pressure to do so and feel more comfortable fitting the title of a thriller without having to define to the viewer as to how the film passes as a thriller. The language is also a lot stronger now than you would expect in a thriller from the past as restrictions  and guidelines have become clearer so long as filmmakers stick to them they are far less likely to get into troubles so films of the genre are able to do more risky things within their films and simply receive a higher rating for the ages of people who are able to see it.

The Purge

The Purge is a 2013 American action horror film written and directed by James DeMonaco. It stars Lena Headey, Ethan Hawke, Max Burkholder, Adelaide Kane, Edwin Hodge, Tony Oller, Rhys Wakerfield and Arija Bareikis.  It is the first installment within the series of 'the purge' films.
Despite having mixed reviews, the film grossed $89,328,627 during its run, far surpassing its $3 million budget. The film was turned into a 'scare zone' for the 201 annual Halloween Horror Nights as a result of it's success.
Monsterz


Monsterz is a 2014 Japanese fantasy horror/ thriller film from director Hideo Nakata. The film is a remake of the 2010 South Korean film tilted 'Haunters'.
The film has grossed ¥697 million in Japan.
In Film Business Asia, Derek Elley gave the film a low rating of 3 out of 10, labeling it a "feeble Japanese remake" with "no atmosphere".


As you can see there have been many developments in the thriller genre over the years. Guidelines and restrictions have allowed for a wide variety of changes for instance the BBFC association  taking ownership of the censorship of film has meant that it is made much clearer for film makers when creating their pieces as to know what is acceptable and what isn't it also gives them a good idea what age range they can be aiming towards if they want to include certain aspects of the genre within their film. Hence films can be produced now with these guidelines which people may have been afraid to produce before.

Top ten thriller films:



The sixth sense 

The Sixth Sense is a 1999 American supernatural thriller film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The film tells the story of Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment), a troubled, isolated boy who is able to see and talk to the dead, and an equally troubled child psychologist (Bruce Willis) who tries to help him. The film established Shyamalan as a writer and director, and introduced the cinema public to his traits, most notably his affinity for surprise endings.

(information from wikipedia) 
sixth sense  grossed $26.6 million just within its opening weekend and stayed at no 1 for five weeks. Forty million was spent on the production of the film and $672,806,292. 

psycho

Release dates	June 16, 1960(New York City premiere) August 8, 1960(United States)
Running time	109 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$800,000
Box office	$60,000,000

(information from Wikipedia)

The silence of the lambs 

• The silence of the lambs is a 1991 American film of the thriller genre which also brings in aspects from both the crime and horror genres.  
• The film budgeted $19 million
• made $272,742,922 at the box office 
• running time is 118 minutes 
• released February 14th 1991
• made in the US 
• language spoken is English 

The usual suspects

The usual suspects is a German-American neo- noir crime thriller film, shot on a six million budget, released for the first time in January 1995 in sundance. The film runs for one hundred and six minutes. It earned   $23,272,306 at the box office.


Shutter Island



Shutter Island is an American physiological thriller from 2010. Disturbed by paramount pictures and starring Leonard DiCaprio. The film was released for the first time on the 19th of February 2010. It had a budget of $80 million and earned $294,804,195 at the box office.Running time lasts 138 minutes.


The cabin in the woods 

The cabin in the woods directed by Drew Goddard in his directorial debut, he also wrote the film alongside Joss Whedon who also produced the film, the pair had previously worked together on Whedon's works 'Buffy the vampire slayer' and its spin off 'Angel' they wrote the screenplay within just three days. The film had an estimated budget of $30 million and gained $66,486,080 at the box office. The films runs for 95 minutes and was originally released on March 9th 2012 produced by Lionsgate. The pair had hopes to effect the thriller genre with their film.


Reservoir Dogs



Reservoir Dogs is a 1992 American crime thriller, originally released on October 23rd 1992, it runs for 99 minutes. The film had a budget of $1,200,000 and earned $4,008,029 at the box office.


The Machinist 


The Machinist is a 2004 Spanish physiological thriller  however the language spoken in English. Starring Christian Bale the film has a running time of 101 minutes, it had a budget of around $5 million and earned $8,203,235 at the box office. The film was originally released on the 18th of January 2004, this first release took place in Spain.

Memento

Memento is a 2000 American neo-noir/mystery/ physiological thriller. The film was originally released in Venice on September 5th 2000, it has a running time of 113 minutes and a budget of $5 million, earned $39.7 million at the box office.


The talented Mr Ripley

The talented Mr Ripley is a 1999 American physiological thriller starring Mat Damon as a young sociopath struggling to make a living in New York during the 1950's. The film runs for 138 minutes and was originally released on the 12th of December at the Fox Bruin theater it was then released again a few days later on Christmas day in the united states. The films budget is said to have been around $40 million and developed $128,798,265 at the box office.