THRILLER INSPIRATION

MISERY (1990)

Based on Stephen King's novel, directed by Rob Reiner. Starring Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes (the antagonist) and James Caan as Paul Sheldon, the victim. Themes of the plot include deception and secrecy and there is a psychological element in the plot. This is a conventional thriller that fits under the horror/psychological sub genre firstly because of the use of pathetic fallacy (snowy, stormy weather in this example), the themes of isolation/desolation and an accident which leads to the main plot. One identifiable unconventional aspect is that the victim is male, rather than female. The use of mise en scene is clever and subtle, for example, the opening scene consists of the male protagonist lighting a cigarette with a match in his office, and then focuses on the struggle of him doing so. Although this may seem something quite minor and trivial, it gives us a clue as to what will happen later on the film, with the setting fire of Sheldon's treasured novel. All the horrific goings on in the film are primarily caused (firstly) due to the bad weather. In the opening scene, Sheldon looks out of the window at the storm forming, from this we can interpret a main conventional idea of films of this genre-pathetic fallacy. The more perceptive of the audience will sense danger from this, as it is almost an omen.

FATAL ATTRACTION (1987)

Directed by Adrian Lyne and written by James Dearden. Starring Michael Douglas and Glenn Close. Themes include lies and deception, violence and stalking. This film is a conventional horror/psychological thriller in that it focuses on an antagonist and a protagonist, and covers themes associated with these sub genres. The vulnerability of Dan Gallagher's (Michael Douglas) family is used as a tool to shock and scare the audience, and the deceptive, disturbing nature of Alex Forrest disgusts and intimidates the audience. Alex's behaviour towards Dan again shocks and scares the audience, her erratic nature adding to the tension. It becomes obvious that she has some sort of pyschological problem (diagnosed as borderline personality disorder by analysists), another conventional features in this sub genre which is studied in depth in this film, and is the key and arguably most important feature of the plot, as her behaviour carries the story line, rather than the initial affair. One scene in the film which I identified as particularily disturbing/tense is the one in which Alex kidnaps Dan's child and takes her to a theme park where she puts her on a rollercoaster (which is too scary for her to ride). This scene cross cuts with Dan's wife in the car panicking and trying to look for her child, but ends up in a collision which injures her. The height of tension in this scene is when Alex and the child are on the rollercoaster (with the child looking overwhelmed and scared) and Dan's wife desperately searching, getting nearer and nearer to colliding with someone. This would deeply distress the audience as well as keep them on edge, as the scene is high paced and full of uncomfortable subject matter. This film seems to tick most of the conventionalities of this sub genre, but like Misery the antagonist is female, and the hero/protagonist is male. On top of this, there are moments in the film when everything seems calm and melodic, with no danger lurking. This is quickly changed by the actions of Alex, something not considered unconventional usually but I think it is in 'Fatal Attraction' because her behaviour is so unpredictable and the audience are often unaware of her direct involvement with Dan and his family, although it could be argued that this just heightens the tension and keeps the audience on edge.