Thriller expectations

In a thriller I would expect certain features that separates it from an action/adventure film and a horror film. The reason it's called a thriller is because it's meant to thrill you. This means there will be lots of tension and moment that make you jump. To do this films use spooky non-diegetic music, dim lighting and a good story. I expect the music to build up to something or to be really sharp and short, like the music from psycho or the shining. Thrillers are often quite predictable, making it scarier (e.g. paranormal activity). The method used in some thrillers like clover field and the Blair witch project, is to make the audience feel like they are in the same position as the main character because they have a camcorder so we follow them everywhere. We feel much closer to the main characters because they get so much camera time.

This trailer has all the things you would expect to see in a thriller. It's about insanity and someone who is being controlled by an evil force. This is a typical thriller storyline and the sound, editing, lighting and mise-en-scene in the trailer are what you would expect to see in a thriller film. I picked this example because has all the components of a thriller film. The trailer creates a lot of tension towards the end with the music that becomes quicker and louder with a screeching in the background. The quick editing goes with the non-diegetic sound and each shot is of something dark or someone screaming.