2. Thriller Methods and Ideas
Within the first ten minutes, we do
not know their past and we only
know they’re in a relationship,
therefore there is a sense of
mystery.
Suspense is used throughout the
extract in the form of music, and it
used to play on the audiences
mind to make them more involved
and emotionally attached to the
characters.
3. Narrative Techniques
Red Herring (?) the border control asks what
they are doing during their stay in Berlin.
Red Herring (?) the charm in the second taxi
features a number, which could be significant
or a vital clue or could not be.
There is Principle of Concealment when he
leaves the black case behind at the airport,
and later rushes back to retrieve it. We don’t
know what’s in the case or the significance of
it.
When Dr Harris gets CPR after being rescued
by the taxi driver, he gets a series of
flashbacks of his wife.
5. Techniques
Extreme close up - passports
Slow mo – car going into water
The camera tracks to the left showing a sunset, during this there is mesmorising diegetic music
which enhances the audiences response, as they feel reassured which unusual for a thriller film.
Tense crescendo music is used when Dr Harris is in the second taxi on the way to find the black
case. The suspenseful music starts as he checks his phone to discover he has no service. From
that moment onwards, the music builds which alarms the audience that something is about to
happen to the protagonist.
Sonically exaggerated sound is used on the charm hanging from the mirror at the front of the
taxi. It comes straight after silence, which makes us believe their could be some significance
about it and the number shown (red herring?).
Sonically exaggerated sound is also used when the car plummets into the water. We see and
extreme close up of Dr Hariss’ head smashing up against the taxi window. The glass cracks and
the sound is dramatically exaggerated, which alarms the audience that the protagonist is most
likely injured and therefore we fear for his safety and wellbeing.
Fast paced editing was used when taxi diverts and takes a different route, this leads to the fridge
falling off the back of the truck and as a result the taxi driver loses control and they plummet over
the side of the bridge. The fast paced editing makes the audience aware that the characters in
danger, therefore the audience are more involved and don’t want to look away.
