Conventions of a Thriller Genre

Narrative :
Another word for 'story', conventions and structures of stories within the media.
Most narratives are organised in ways that reflect patterns of the 'real lives'. Patterns also allow a chronological order and casually, likewise to that of our lives.
Plot narrative can be less straight forward, therefore our reading of the text beocmes more complicated.
Combinations of codes that make up a narrative, in semiotic terms they are sets of menaings with their own conventions and sets of possible combinations.
For exmaple:
- Code of dimensions - setting imagery and atmosphere
- Code of action and change - includes the plot, subplot and turning points
- Code of character - interest in the character beacuse of their relation to real people, for instance, main character called protagonist - character the audience can idnetify with. The protagonist is usually driven by at least two desires, concious and unconcious.
Narrative is from two character points of view. First being that of the protagonist, which involves the audience more in the events and creates empathy for the character. The story is occasionally told from the view of the villain also at their twisted understanding or perhaps disturbing past that has lead to the present. Although it can also be told from the point of view of an onlooker, detaching the audience from events so they perhaps are more observant.
Events in the storyline enable the film to progress, and allow the audience to second guess what will happen next. In many films this will be wrong so it adds to the suspense. 
The dialogue in thrillers never contains a complete explanation of events or plot to give it pace and maintain the mystery, which is essential in building suspense. 


Characters :
Character dress code: Commonly characters appear smartly and well dressed with dark colours in spy based thrillers e.g. James Bond - dress codes differ depending on the context of the plot, for example in Running Scared the protagonist Joey Gazelle is not smartly dressed, but is in casual dress in non expensive clothing. Similar to dress codes for an action thriller like Die Hard for which Bruce Willis wears casual, masculine clothing, which helps empower his characters appearance. Gangster thrillers almost always have sharp, smart suits. Whereas dress codes for slasher thrillers especially for female characters is sexy. or revealing.
Character parts: Often in thriller films, there is one character who plays the role of a helpless innocent female in need of rescue. Who does however become brave when her help is needed and often aids or saves the male hero/protagonist. There is therefore normally a male hero who battles the injustice and ultimately aims to defeat the residing evil of the situation to allow good to prosper. The residing evil in thriller films can be a vast majority of charachters from a monster to a twisted boy next door. There are however some common charchterisitcs which include solituryness, revenge, anger, or a skewed view on events, as well as distorted social skills and understanding.


Iconography :
Setting: Can be urban, isolated surbuban settings, cities or quiet country villages.
Mise-en-scene: Normally dim lighting hiding parts to a charachter, large threatening weapons for props e.g. large knives, guns etc. Camera shots are normally point of view shots, frames within frames, or close ups. Often ther is also alot of camera movement. Colours are also used to signify different emotions like red connates blood or danger, blue cold mystery or death.


Themes :
Themes are commonly based around societies current fears and worries. They may be isolation, entrapment, murder, pain or terrorism.