Iconography in Thriller films

   Iconography is the symbols and objects you see on screen. We associate and expect different iconography with different genres of film. For example, we'd expect different iconography in a thriller film than the iconography we'd see in comedy film.

    Some examples of iconography in thrillers are;

Shadows

Shadows help build tension as they leave the audience wondering who or what the shadow belongs to. More often than not the protagonist is unaware and doesn't see the shadow unlike the audience which creates tension as the audience wants the protagonist to notice. This is an example of dramatic irony.

Confined Spaces

Small confined spaces make the audience nervous and build tension as the protagonist is usually vulnerable when in a confined space as they have no easy way of escaping anything. Also 3% of the population are claustrophobic so this would play on their fears.

Running Water

Running water has connotations of death as it could represent the draining of life. It can also be used in a setting where you wouldn't expect there to be any running water. This will put the audience on edge as they wonder what the cause is.

Street light

Street lights at night are often used in thrillers to keep the emphasis and focus on the protagonist and the fact that there is almost complete darkness surrounding them, apart from the spotlight from the lamp. This further accentuates the fact that the protagonist is alone in the dark and creates fear for the audience as they do not know what might be underlying in the darkness and therefore a tense atmosphere is created.


  We will draw on these ideas in our own film to conform to the conventions of the thriller genre.