This document discusses the history and key characteristics of psychological thriller films over several decades from the 1950s to the 2000s. It provides examples of influential psychological thriller films from each decade that helped define the genre, such as Rear Window (1950s), Psycho (1960s), and The Mist (2000s). Common elements of psychological thrillers are discussed, including an emphasis on the protagonist's mental state over plot and a threat stemming from mental rather than physical danger.

1. In a psychological thriller, usually a movie or a book, the emphasis is not on
the plot but rather on the psychology of its characters. Like thrillers, the
danger to the protagonist is emphasized, but in the particular genre of
psychological thrillers. Suspense stems less from a physical threat but rather
from a mental one. The protagonist perseveres against the antagonist often
because of his or her mental qualities.

2. 1950- Rear window was the main psychological thriller from the 1950’s. After Alfred broke his leg during a
racetrack accident he had to use a wheelchair while he was recuperating. While he was looking out of his rear
window he witnesses his neighbour murdering his wife.
1960- Another film called Psycho was released again by Alfred Hitchcock which was a highlight of the 1960’s.
This film included one of thrillers greasiest scenes. Psycho is now considered Hitchcock's greatest films after
mixed views on the film were reviewed and it won multiple awards.
1970’s- Night flight from Moscow is a French thriller made in 1973. It was produced and directed by Henri
Verneuil.
1980’s- Dead ringers is a 1988 psychological drama film starring Jeremy Irons in a dual role as identical twin
gynaecologists. This was a highlight film of the 1980’s directed by David Cronenberg.
1990’s- Stir of Echoes was a supernatural horror-thriller with aspects of a psychological thriller with aspects of
a psychological thriller. The movie was directed by David Koepp.
2000’s- The Mist was amongst one of the best rated films of the 2000’s directed by Frank Darabont.

3. Most popular Psychological films in the last 40 years;
• Straw Dogs (1971) Directed by Sam Pekinpah
• The Machinist (2004) Directed by Brad Anderson
• Irreversilble (2002) Directed by Gasper Noe
• Memento (2000) Directed by Christopher Nolan
• Black swan (2010) Directed by Darren Horonsky
• Martyrs (2008) Directed by Pascal Laugier
• Open your eyes (1997) Directed by Alejandro Amenábar
• The shining (1980) Directed by Stanley Kubrick
• I stand alone (1998) Directed by Gaspar Noé

4. One flew over the cuckoos nest is a
significant movie as it concentrates
on what was happening to people
in insane asylums in America in the
1960’s. It was about the way
psychology and psychiatry were
being shown and approached. In
the 1960’s there was a
controversial movement towards
deinstitutionalization ( the process
of replacing long-stay psychiatric
hospitals with less isolated
community mental health services
for those diagnosed with a mental
disorder.
Ted bundy- serial killer. At the
time if this was a topic of the
world news as it was a serious
crime which attracted many
people. They made a movie to
show people about the
seriousness of what has
happened.
Burning bed- women who cant
handle her husband beating
her up kills him. This is a true
story which could appeal to
people which makes it
believable which means
people are more likely to
watch it and it grabs their
attention
The imposter
appealed to many
people also as when
they made it this was
also in the news
aswell which
appealed to more
people as it was a
true story.

5. • Weapons such as knives and guns to emphasise the extremity of the situation.
• Blood
• Low key lighting
• Masks
• Scars
• Location- Normal setting for equilibrium. In the disequilibrium there is a more
isolated settings. Which could lead to a mental home or prisons for resolution.
• Costumes- There would be a casual clothing which shows they are relatable
which makes it more believable. This would be used for the equilibrium but as
it moves on to the disequilibrium they begin to change such as wearing tatty
clothes which also could be black to change the mood of the scene and their
appearance. If in the resolution they are in a mental home or prison they would
also change due to the setting of the character.

6. • Non- diegetic- these sounds are normally added into
the editing as sound effect. These are noises that the
character cant hear themselves, but the audience can,
this allows the plot to not be disturbed by the added
music.
• Diegetic- This sound is conventionally used for
characters are talking also it is what the characters can
hear which is in the story to effect what is happening in
the plot.
• Voice over- it is thought and feeling of a character
presented through a voice which allows the audience to
understand what the character is thinking .

7. • Close-up- to show emotion of the character or to show
identity
• long shot- to show the character in full which allows you to
see the whole costume.
• Mid-shot- it is conventional that this is led on from a zoom
to a mid shot to show the mask as well as some of the
costume to get the extremity of the situation.
• Two shot- This is used normally when there is a fight to
show them both or there could also be a two shot to show
one character behind another secretly.
• Establishing shot- This is normally used when they want
you to show the setting which involves the audience so
they know where the scene is taking place.

8. • Fast pace editing- This is used within a trailer to allow s many clips
to be shown but at the same time not to give much of the story to
ruin the resolution to keep the audience entertained.
• Shot reverse shot- This is used to show the transition between two
characters mostly when they are having a conversation.
• Fade to black- This is used to create darkness and mystery to the
trailer, signifying the end or death.
• Eyeline match- This is used to show what the character is looking at,
could be a weapon for a person it is used so the audience can
understand the scene from a characters perspective.
• Ellipsis of time- This is used within a psychological trailer as
normally throughout there is a narrative that moves forwards in
time, but parts could be taken out to shorten the time but the
audience can still understand what is happening.

9. Gender: Male 43%
Female 57%
Age: 18-32
Status: Students/ workers
Class: Working class
Psychographic:
• Go out with family/friends
• Shopping
• Listen to music and watch
movies