Sounds/Music in Thrillers

Common Features in Thrillers

Music and sounds are used to heighten our senses and make us more aware of the situation as it changes our emotions to fit with particular scenes

Low vibrations usually used to instil fear in the audience

High pitched sounds create discomfort

Eerie and intense music build up tension and suspense

Diegetic Sound

This is sound that comes from the scene (that the characters can hear) e.g. traffic, wind, clock etc.

Diegetic sound within thrillers can include a number of things, but the main purpose is to show that the characters are aware of the sounds the audience can hear. For example a gunshot instills fear in the audience and the characters as they know they’re in danger.

Non Diegetic Sound

This is sounds that wouldn’t normally be heard naturally within that shot (the characters can't hear it) e.g. music, soundtrack , voiceover. 

Often thrillers have specific genres of music to increase the ‘thrill factor’ for the audience. This involves intense and fast paced action music such as rock within chase scenes or fight scenes. Sometimes fast paced orchestral music is used as well to build tension. Things such as voice overs are also used to enable the audience to understand the story.

     Music playing in earphones diegetic then turns into non diegetic when the music takes over the scene.

Parallel Sound

This is sound that matches what's on screen e.g. happy music to match the happiness of the scene (wedding)

Fast paced music for action scenes e.g. chase scenes

Slow paced and monotonous music for sad scenes e.g. funeral etc.