Major Project: Genre Research
To better understand how to make an effective Psychological Thriller, I found it important to research examples of them in the past. Looking at early works and more recent pieces I am able to find common themes and conventions within the genre which could or should find its way into the film, this way I can better understand the genre I am exploring whilst also understanding how the stories of the genre have been told before mine.
Thrillers and Psychological Thrillers
A Psychological Thriller can be defined as:
"A suspenseful movie or book emphasizing the psychology of its characters rather than the plot"
In a Psychological Thriller, the genre explores the mental dangers, rather than physical ones to the character within. They specifically look at the mental state or emotions, also experiencing the mind of the character.
Films of the genre sometimes hide answers in plain sight or cloud the audiences' vision of what is real and what is part of the character's imagination. It is for this reason that psychological thrillers such as Psycho, Shutter Island and Fight Club can have considerable twists as the audience are shown or lead to believe things that may not be correct.
Examples of Films of the Genre:
What makes a Psychological Thriller?
To better understand the genre, I felt it was important to research the themes and conventions that make a Psychological Thriller what it is. By doing this I can correctly understand whether or not my film fits within the genre, being able then to make the necessary adjustments and tweaks.
This is vital as a Director, because I have to be able to fully understand the genre I am exploring. By doing so I am able to at all times understand the overall requirements of the film throughout the production process. On set if there is a questions of the characters motives, the audiences' perspective or the themes being explored, I will need to be able to answer and have clear knowledge of my creative vision for the film.
Themes
"Psychological thrillers often deal with common themes such as death, reality, perception, identity, existence or purpose, and one or two of these themes should be wound through the novel."
These underlying themes are evident within most or all good psychological thrillers. What is important to note is that the genre is not limited to one theme. The style and themes within the genre can be very different and there is room for a great deal of creative exploration through character and environment. Character's mindsets are the driving force of the narrative within this genre so the fact that, ideally, each character within each film is different, the audience can be presented with completely different settings, environments, themes, emotions and stories within each film.
This not only allows for creative exploration from a directors point of view but also from a narrative, script-writing perspective.
Double Exposure fits perfectly with the 'Death' and 'Reality' theme described above, however it also explores 'guilt' and 'obsession'.
"Psychological and emotional stress are the engine of this sub genre."
As Psychological Thrillers focus on mental states and emotion, the statement above only intensifies their importance. The character's psychological state drives the narrative and should be the force pushing it on. Meaning within the script and through direction on screen, the main character's (or character's mind we are focusing or looking into) mind is the one the audience is supposed to be following or understanding.
This sub genre is reliant on the characters within the story, and the story they provide. The film can fail as a psychological thriller if it does not reflect or explore the characters mind. This can happen through a poor or inadequate script or ineffective directing.
"In this respect, psychological thrillers don't only play with the characters' minds, they also play with the reader's mind."
This sub genre generally play heavily with the character's minds, they distort, misrepresent and interfere with them causing them to usually not understand what is real or what is not. However, this is also done to the audience, as the audience follow the character.
This sub genre can blur the lines between what is real and what is not, the truth and lies. By doing this the character can be confused but not as much so as the audience. Psychological thrillers have the tendency and ability to throw the audience off as they are able to misrepresent event, tell false information or blur what is real to throw off the character. Usually a reflection of the characters confused/conflicted/troubled mind that is unable to come to terms with what really happened.
This can cause twists and even provide for jump scares. Tension in this sub genre can build dramatically and also encumber horror elements for their fear factor and ability to scare. The key ability psychological thrillers have is their ability to be subtly disturbing, touching on subjects that are deeply psychological and unnerving.
Codes & Conventions
Shadows and Low Key Lighting
Within Psychological Thrillers it is often that shadows and low key lighting are used to convey split personality, a sense of alienation, and many other things within this sub genre. They are used so frequently within the sub genre because of the tone they explore.
The majority of successful Psychological Thrillers are serious films exploring the psychology of their characters. This can mean parts of the film can be explored artistically as the film delves into the imagination and the darker recesses of the mind.
This is where low key lighting and shadows come into play. They can be used to represent the darker side of the characters mind, through lighting the shadows and images cast on faces, backgrounds and objects can convey deep meaning providing subtext to a scene or moment within a film.
The style can appear very film Noir but it can work, if in the correct context and film, to great effect.
Tension Music
A feature to appear in most films of the genre is the use of tension music. Maybe most notably in Psycho the use of tension music can be one of the most important things to make a scene unnerving and dramatic. In this iconic scene it serves as a perfect example.
Tension music is key for moments that require it. While overusing music like this in scenes can be a films downfall, the use of tension tracks can create a very unnerving environment for the audience. Putting them on the edge of their seats as some effective psychological thrillers do.
Not all tense scenes require a tension track however, some scenes can play on silence for a more realistic and equally uncomfortable feel.
Flashbacks
Within Psychological Thrillers we often find that the chronological timeline shifts. We just from the past to the present and sometimes the future. Films often do this to provide previous context and allow the audience to understand when a character is 'normal' or not normal.
This audience is sometimes notified of this with an on screen title or sometimes not at all. The audience may be led to believe the narrative is in flowing chronological order but then revealed later it has been jumping around the timeline. This can be effective at misleading the audience or to provide context to prior events.
Open Endings
A lot of films of this sub genre rarely completely conclude the endings of their film. They are also rarely happy endings. The films usually leave the audience wondering what happens next for the characters, not always with a cliff hanger but instead leaving the ending open to interpretation for the audience.
This happens within American Psycho, Silence of the Lambs, Gone Girl. In which the character's issues are realized, the characters climax to their destructive end, or otherwise. However, it is rare for the audience to be given closure on the future of the characters. They usually disappear, or a sudden realization before the end of the film leaves the audience to imagine for themselves what happens next.
An interesting yet common convention within this sub genre as the ending of this films would usually not suit a happy ending.
Complex Narratives
Naturally a story following the mental state of a person, regular but usually not, will be at times confusing. Psychological Thrillers have to focus on the mind of a fictitious character and represent their emotions on screen.By doing this the narrative will be usually complex as the ususally disturbed or confused minds of the characters we follow will essentially be like looking at an unfinished jigsaw.
The film's narrative will put the pieces together and audience watch as the pieces are put in the correct place and observe the cause and effect. Films such as Shutter Island, Fight Club and Inception all have complex narratives as the puzzle of the character's mind is being unraveled, sometimes leaving the audience confused and asking questions.
Directors of the Genre
"Luck is everything... My good luck in life was to be a really frightened person. I'm fortunate to be a coward, to have a low threshold of fear, because a hero couldn't make a good suspense film."
Alfred Hitchcock
"If we didn't want to upset anyone, we would make films about sewing, but even that could be dangerous. But I think finally, in a film, it is how the balance is and the feelings are. But I think there has to be those contrasts and strong things within a film for the total experience."
David Lynch
"Perception has always interested me. The idea that behind every face, there are a thousand faces. Beneath the placid veneer of middle America, there lies terror."
Brian Singer
"I think all of us, under certain circumstances, could be capable of some very despicable acts. And that's why, over the years, in my movies I've had characters who didn't care what people thought about them. We try to be as true to them as possible and maybe see part of ourselves in there that we may not like."
Martin Scorsese
What Makes Double Exposure a Psychological Thriller?
Themes
Double Exposure explores Death, Reality, Guilt and Obsession. This fits perfectly into the sub genre of Psychological Thrillers.
The main character's, Emily Atkinson, mindset drives the narrative as her obsession and need for control ruins her relationship with boyfriend Dan who seeks the love another, Steph. Upon finding out, she believes she kills Steph, only to find out through her own guilt that she instead killed Dan.
This fits well within the sub genre as it explores multiple themes within it, while also focusing on the character's mindset herself.
Conventions
Our film features the use of tension building music, however only in scenes where it is absolutely necessary. As director and writer I feel that some require almost silence as the tension comes from the characters performance combined with the long uncomfortable silence.
Our film jumps along the timeline. Only fairly simply as we begin on the present day and continued. Following this we then return to the night before and replay events how they actually were. Fairly simple and not too overly complicated as to fit to the short film duration.
Our film features an open ending in which the main character is left at the end within a loop. The audience are left to determine and think of her fate as we the audience only see a small dramatic moment of Emily's life.
While the timeline does shift, the film is not overly complex however a large portion of the film is without dialogue, meaning the film is not signposted but instead relies on the performance of the actors and direction to set the scene and start the story without a word being said. This i believe does not make the narrative complex, but instead, engaging.
Character Orientation
The entire narrative and story revolves around our main character Emily. We witness her perspective and the true events, but always follow her. While the audience is not positioned to like or dislike her, her character is one that is open to perspective. There are moments where the audience may dislike her, may like her or may feel empathy for her but none the less the story absolutely follows her and her mental state.
References
Thrillers and Psychological Thrillers
A Psychological Thriller can be defined as:
"A suspenseful movie or book emphasizing the psychology of its characters rather than the plot"
In a Psychological Thriller, the genre explores the mental dangers, rather than physical ones to the character within. They specifically look at the mental state or emotions, also experiencing the mind of the character.
Films of the genre sometimes hide answers in plain sight or cloud the audiences' vision of what is real and what is part of the character's imagination. It is for this reason that psychological thrillers such as Psycho, Shutter Island and Fight Club can have considerable twists as the audience are shown or lead to believe things that may not be correct.
Examples of Films of the Genre:
Psycho (1960) - Alfred Hitchcock
Taxi Driver (1976) - Martin Scorsese
Silence of the Lambs (1991) - Jonathan Demme
Sixth Sense (1999) - M. Night Shyamalan
Fight Club (1999) - David Fincher
American Psycho (2000) - Mary Harron
Black Swan (2010) - Darren Aronofsky
Shutter Island (2011) - Martin Scorsese
Taxi Driver (1976) - Martin Scorsese
Silence of the Lambs (1991) - Jonathan Demme
Sixth Sense (1999) - M. Night Shyamalan
Fight Club (1999) - David Fincher
American Psycho (2000) - Mary Harron
Black Swan (2010) - Darren Aronofsky
Shutter Island (2011) - Martin Scorsese
Gone Girl (2014) - David Fincher
What makes a Psychological Thriller?
To better understand the genre, I felt it was important to research the themes and conventions that make a Psychological Thriller what it is. By doing this I can correctly understand whether or not my film fits within the genre, being able then to make the necessary adjustments and tweaks.
This is vital as a Director, because I have to be able to fully understand the genre I am exploring. By doing so I am able to at all times understand the overall requirements of the film throughout the production process. On set if there is a questions of the characters motives, the audiences' perspective or the themes being explored, I will need to be able to answer and have clear knowledge of my creative vision for the film.
Themes
"Psychological thrillers often deal with common themes such as death, reality, perception, identity, existence or purpose, and one or two of these themes should be wound through the novel."
These underlying themes are evident within most or all good psychological thrillers. What is important to note is that the genre is not limited to one theme. The style and themes within the genre can be very different and there is room for a great deal of creative exploration through character and environment. Character's mindsets are the driving force of the narrative within this genre so the fact that, ideally, each character within each film is different, the audience can be presented with completely different settings, environments, themes, emotions and stories within each film.
This not only allows for creative exploration from a directors point of view but also from a narrative, script-writing perspective.
Double Exposure fits perfectly with the 'Death' and 'Reality' theme described above, however it also explores 'guilt' and 'obsession'.
"Psychological and emotional stress are the engine of this sub genre."
As Psychological Thrillers focus on mental states and emotion, the statement above only intensifies their importance. The character's psychological state drives the narrative and should be the force pushing it on. Meaning within the script and through direction on screen, the main character's (or character's mind we are focusing or looking into) mind is the one the audience is supposed to be following or understanding.
This sub genre is reliant on the characters within the story, and the story they provide. The film can fail as a psychological thriller if it does not reflect or explore the characters mind. This can happen through a poor or inadequate script or ineffective directing.
"In this respect, psychological thrillers don't only play with the characters' minds, they also play with the reader's mind."
This sub genre generally play heavily with the character's minds, they distort, misrepresent and interfere with them causing them to usually not understand what is real or what is not. However, this is also done to the audience, as the audience follow the character.
This sub genre can blur the lines between what is real and what is not, the truth and lies. By doing this the character can be confused but not as much so as the audience. Psychological thrillers have the tendency and ability to throw the audience off as they are able to misrepresent event, tell false information or blur what is real to throw off the character. Usually a reflection of the characters confused/conflicted/troubled mind that is unable to come to terms with what really happened.
This can cause twists and even provide for jump scares. Tension in this sub genre can build dramatically and also encumber horror elements for their fear factor and ability to scare. The key ability psychological thrillers have is their ability to be subtly disturbing, touching on subjects that are deeply psychological and unnerving.
Codes & Conventions
Shadows and Low Key Lighting
Within Psychological Thrillers it is often that shadows and low key lighting are used to convey split personality, a sense of alienation, and many other things within this sub genre. They are used so frequently within the sub genre because of the tone they explore.
The majority of successful Psychological Thrillers are serious films exploring the psychology of their characters. This can mean parts of the film can be explored artistically as the film delves into the imagination and the darker recesses of the mind.
This is where low key lighting and shadows come into play. They can be used to represent the darker side of the characters mind, through lighting the shadows and images cast on faces, backgrounds and objects can convey deep meaning providing subtext to a scene or moment within a film.
The style can appear very film Noir but it can work, if in the correct context and film, to great effect.
Tension Music
A feature to appear in most films of the genre is the use of tension music. Maybe most notably in Psycho the use of tension music can be one of the most important things to make a scene unnerving and dramatic. In this iconic scene it serves as a perfect example.
Psycho (1960)
Tension music is key for moments that require it. While overusing music like this in scenes can be a films downfall, the use of tension tracks can create a very unnerving environment for the audience. Putting them on the edge of their seats as some effective psychological thrillers do.
Not all tense scenes require a tension track however, some scenes can play on silence for a more realistic and equally uncomfortable feel.
Flashbacks
Within Psychological Thrillers we often find that the chronological timeline shifts. We just from the past to the present and sometimes the future. Films often do this to provide previous context and allow the audience to understand when a character is 'normal' or not normal.
This audience is sometimes notified of this with an on screen title or sometimes not at all. The audience may be led to believe the narrative is in flowing chronological order but then revealed later it has been jumping around the timeline. This can be effective at misleading the audience or to provide context to prior events.
Open Endings
A lot of films of this sub genre rarely completely conclude the endings of their film. They are also rarely happy endings. The films usually leave the audience wondering what happens next for the characters, not always with a cliff hanger but instead leaving the ending open to interpretation for the audience.
This happens within American Psycho, Silence of the Lambs, Gone Girl. In which the character's issues are realized, the characters climax to their destructive end, or otherwise. However, it is rare for the audience to be given closure on the future of the characters. They usually disappear, or a sudden realization before the end of the film leaves the audience to imagine for themselves what happens next.
American Psycho (2000)
An interesting yet common convention within this sub genre as the ending of this films would usually not suit a happy ending.
Complex Narratives
Naturally a story following the mental state of a person, regular but usually not, will be at times confusing. Psychological Thrillers have to focus on the mind of a fictitious character and represent their emotions on screen.By doing this the narrative will be usually complex as the ususally disturbed or confused minds of the characters we follow will essentially be like looking at an unfinished jigsaw.
The film's narrative will put the pieces together and audience watch as the pieces are put in the correct place and observe the cause and effect. Films such as Shutter Island, Fight Club and Inception all have complex narratives as the puzzle of the character's mind is being unraveled, sometimes leaving the audience confused and asking questions.
Directors of the Genre
"Luck is everything... My good luck in life was to be a really frightened person. I'm fortunate to be a coward, to have a low threshold of fear, because a hero couldn't make a good suspense film."
Alfred Hitchcock
"If we didn't want to upset anyone, we would make films about sewing, but even that could be dangerous. But I think finally, in a film, it is how the balance is and the feelings are. But I think there has to be those contrasts and strong things within a film for the total experience."
David Lynch
"Perception has always interested me. The idea that behind every face, there are a thousand faces. Beneath the placid veneer of middle America, there lies terror."
Brian Singer
"I think all of us, under certain circumstances, could be capable of some very despicable acts. And that's why, over the years, in my movies I've had characters who didn't care what people thought about them. We try to be as true to them as possible and maybe see part of ourselves in there that we may not like."
Martin Scorsese
What Makes Double Exposure a Psychological Thriller?
Themes
Double Exposure explores Death, Reality, Guilt and Obsession. This fits perfectly into the sub genre of Psychological Thrillers.
The main character's, Emily Atkinson, mindset drives the narrative as her obsession and need for control ruins her relationship with boyfriend Dan who seeks the love another, Steph. Upon finding out, she believes she kills Steph, only to find out through her own guilt that she instead killed Dan.
This fits well within the sub genre as it explores multiple themes within it, while also focusing on the character's mindset herself.
Conventions
Our film features the use of tension building music, however only in scenes where it is absolutely necessary. As director and writer I feel that some require almost silence as the tension comes from the characters performance combined with the long uncomfortable silence.
Our film jumps along the timeline. Only fairly simply as we begin on the present day and continued. Following this we then return to the night before and replay events how they actually were. Fairly simple and not too overly complicated as to fit to the short film duration.
Our film features an open ending in which the main character is left at the end within a loop. The audience are left to determine and think of her fate as we the audience only see a small dramatic moment of Emily's life.
While the timeline does shift, the film is not overly complex however a large portion of the film is without dialogue, meaning the film is not signposted but instead relies on the performance of the actors and direction to set the scene and start the story without a word being said. This i believe does not make the narrative complex, but instead, engaging.
Character Orientation
The entire narrative and story revolves around our main character Emily. We witness her perspective and the true events, but always follow her. While the audience is not positioned to like or dislike her, her character is one that is open to perspective. There are moments where the audience may dislike her, may like her or may feel empathy for her but none the less the story absolutely follows her and her mental state.
References
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