Mise-En-Scene in thrillers!

Throughout all thriller movies there are certain elements of the mise-en-scene that remains the same. This can include use of similar props (weapon, rope), or a similarity of the locations used and things like lighting.


Weapons
Common use of props is found throughout thrillers. The use of of a weapon would be found in either a criminal thriller or an adventure thriller. In films like psycho there is the knife, possibly the biggest prop in the film. This adds a lot to the mise-en-scene as not only is there the prop itself, the knife is also kept in the shadow, which is another common element of mise-en-scene found in thrillers.

However use of other weapons can be found in differend sub genres of thrillers. In action adventure thrillers the use of a gun is more likely. This can be seen throughout films like James Bond and Mission impossible. The gun suggest a less sadistic attack than a knife, however in its own right brings a certain element of mise-en-scene. I gives of the vibe of recklessness of an attack.

Location.
Certain types of location will be used commonly throughout thrillers. It is key that the location is not too obvious to the audience. Usually it will be somewhere open and somewhere that the audience is unlikely to recognise with. The openness of certain locations give a sense of vulnerability. This can be seen in The Happening.

However most action in a thriller will take place in confined spaces, this will give the audience a sense of claustrophobia. The location element of the mise-en-scene of thrillers is used cleverly to represent different events, closed in locations suggest a more immanent danger, however a more open location suggest a more subtle danger.


Lighting.
Lighting in thrillers is described as low key lighting. This brings contrast to the colours more obviously and also casts heavier shadows. This is shown in more Noir style films. It can also be seen in films like Donnie Darko and The Woman in Black.