Examples of Psychological Thrillers

Research

Some famous psychological thriller movies are Se7en, The Shining, and Parasite. So, let’s look into their characteristics and what I can use in my own film.

- Se7en

This movie follows two detectives trying to catch a serial killer who chooses his victims based on the seven deadly sins. From the very beginning, the film creates a gloomy, tense feeling with constant rain and dark city streets. The crime scenes are disturbing, and the mystery keeps the audience guessing.

What I can use:

-A dark setting to create a sense of fear.

-Clues and mysteries that make the audience curious.

-Weather (like rain or fog) to add to the mood.

- The Shining

This classic horror film follows a man named Jack Torrance who takes care of a hotel during the winter with his family. But as the months go by, he slowly loses his mind. The opening scene shows his car driving through a long, winding road surrounded by mountains, showing how far away he is from the rest of the world.

What I can use:

-A setting that makes the character feel alone or trapped.

-A slow build-up of tension, making the audience uncomfortable.

-A characters mind slowly unraveling, making audience question what’s real.

-Parasite

This movie tells the story of a poor family who tricks a rich family into hiring them as workers. The first scene shows their small, cramped basement apartment, immediately making the audience understand their struggles. This is later contrasted with the huge, beautiful house of the wealthy family.