- One main conventions of thriller films is that through the film the main protagonist has to overcome some sort of mystery and challenge. Such as in the Phono booth the character has to stay on the phone or is faced with the risk of death. As in the film Memento the character faces a fight to regain his memories to find his wifes killer.
- Thrillers usually have complex narrative structure, with false paths, clues and resolutions. This is to keep the audience questioning, and to make them work out what’s going on, leaving strong enigma’s.
- All thrillers have the protagonists against an antagonist and at some point there will be a situation which will include both characters come together, usually in a fight or action scene. The antagonist will usually always have the disadvantage.
- In most thrillers the antagonist takes advantage of the protagonists flaws. The flaws are usually obvious to the audience but not to the antagonist untill they are revealed to him. When the flaws are visible to the antagonist, it put him/her in the dominant position.
