Thriller Gere: Iconography

Iconography is the idea that icons, items, symbols and generic things have a symbolic representation within film. Thrillers tens to have many forms of iconography, this is good as it helps to represent and set the genre apart from others, it also helps to shows messages and convey certain emotions. Below shows a few of these items considered to be icons of the thriller genre.

Silhouettes, shadows and shadowy figures

This type of iconography creates an enigma within the genre as the audience does not know for sure what the thing quite is due to it not being tangible and physically view-able. This also goes for characters too as the audience is unable to view the characters motives and intent are. This can be used to build up fear as it is the unknown what makes people afraid or the unexpected that makes the audience shocked. This idea also helps tho further mystery within the story as they may not find out what or who this is till toward the end of the story.

Use of red

The use of red in films conveys a few ideas two of which are more common with thrillers, those being blood or rage. Within the thriller genre the use of anger either suggests that either someone is going to die or our main character will be liberated through his own strength. Whereas blood suggests someone could die or that someone had been murdered, these connotations of red are important in determining what is happening within the entire story and plot of the film.

Knives and weapons

Knives and guns are a more typical icon of the thriller genre, they help to back up the ideas of blood, murder, death and pain and may be a route cause of them or may be the result of someone being angered. They are more often than not used to show the murder or as a form of self defence within the thriller genres allowing it to be a suggestive element that allows the audience to understand motives and intentions.