Thriller conventions

The conventions of the thriller genre are based on sound, editing, lighting, mise-en-scene and cinematography. .

The codes and conventions are mainly what the audiences expect to see within a thriller this includes all types of thrillers, including its sub-genres, (psychological, action, etc.). The codes and conventions in a thriller always includes a victim, which most of the time is a vulnerable female protagonist and a dominant male character. This lets the audiences relate with the stereotypes and therefore this produces more audience appeal and realism.

Psychological thrillers usually play with audiences minds by giving a false sense of security, using red herrings, or manipulating a character keep audiences guessing. Sound is a large factor in creating tension in a thriller sequence. High pitched strings are usually used to heighten suspense, eventually the suspense is released with a loud diegetic noise.

If the theme of the film is water or ice for instance, the sound used may be similar to the noise you get when circling a finger round a glass, this is a convention of a thriller because the image and sound are contrapuntal (synchronous). 

Camera shots also play a key role in expressing a characters emotion. A close up shot with the background blurred out may suggest psychological introspection, meaning the character is oblivious to the world around him, unaware of any hidden danger.