Individual Research into genre

Research into genre: Psychological Thriller

Definition:

Psychological Thriller

"Psychological thriller is a specific sub-genre of the wide-ranging thriller genre. However, this genre often incorporates elements from the mystery genre in addition to the typical traits of the thriller genre.

Generally, thrillers focus on plot over characters, and thus emphasise intense, physical action over the character's psyche. Psychological thrillers tend to reverse this formula to a certain degree, emphasising the characters just as much, if not more so, than the plot."

This is an example of a psychological thriller that has been produced. The film poster looks very odd and surreal, which is what makes a psychological thriller because it is something that is out of our disbelief. Psychological thrillers are known for the characters having some sort of mental illness and who act out of the ordinary. This is why they are interesting because they are different and not many people have the knowledge of having a mental illness.

Themes

In terms of themes, reality is one of the common themes because the character/s in a psychological thriller always demonstrate the difference between a mental state of mind and a more realistic frame of mind. Characters often determine what is true and what is not within the narrative.

Perception

The characters always show the audience what it is like to be them in their mind. They tend to do this through their facial expressions, tone of voice and gestures. Their perceptions are altered by outside factors within the narrative.

Identity

The characters are often confused of their identity and through the films, they tend to find themselves in different ways. 

Existence and purpose

The object for which something exists; an aim or a goal humans strive towards to understand their reason for existence. Characters often try to discover what their purpose is in their lives and the narrative's conflict often is a way for the characters to discover this purpose.