These images from American Psycho clearly follow psychological thriller codes and conventions through the use of weapon iconography, close-up shots, emotional detachment, and morally ambiguous violence, reinforcing themes of instability, control, and unreliable narration.
Codes and Conventions of the Thriller Genre
Every film genre has its own codes and conventions, which are the features that help the audience recognise what type of film they are watching. In thriller films, these conventions are mainly used to create suspense, tension, and mystery. Thrillers are designed to keep the audience on edge and constantly questioning what might happen next, rather than relying on lots of action or obvious scares.
One of the main visual conventions in thrillers is low-key lighting. Dark lighting and shadows are often used to hide information from the audience, which makes scenes feel more mysterious and tense. This can make even normal locations feel uncomfortable. Thrillers also usually use dark or muted colour palettes, such as greys, blues, and blacks, to create a serious and realistic tone.
Another important convention is the use of isolated or confined settings. Locations like empty houses, narrow hallways, or quiet streets make characters seem more vulnerable. This helps increase tension because the audience feels like the character is alone or trapped, which creates a sense of danger.
Thrillers also rely a lot on sound and pacing. Silence or very minimal sound is often used to build suspense, especially before an important moment. Music usually builds slowly instead of being loud or dramatic. The story is often told using restricted narration, meaning the audience only knows as much as the main character. This keeps viewers guessing and makes the experience more intense.
Understanding these codes and conventions is important for my own thriller project because it shows that tension is created through atmosphere and visual choices. By using these conventions, I can make my project feel more realistic, engaging, and clearly recognisable as a thriller
Codes in American Psycho
(the video above)
In American Psycho, several thriller codes are used to communicate Patrick Bateman’s psychological instability. Weapon iconography such as the axe and chainsaw is repeatedly shown, symbolising violence and loss of control. Blood imagery is also used to visually represent brutality and the breakdown of Bateman’s composed exterior. Close-up shots focus on his facial expressions, highlighting his emotional detachment and narcissism. Additionally, low-key lighting and clean, high-status locations create a disturbing contrast between wealth, normality, and extreme violence.
Conventions of the Psychological Thriller Genre
American Psycho follows key psychological thriller conventions by centring the narrative around a morally ambiguous protagonist. Patrick Bateman acts as an unreliable narrator, making it difficult for the audience to distinguish between reality and imagination. Violence is often implied rather than shown, shifting focus onto Bateman’s mental deterioration instead of action. The urban setting reinforces themes of isolation and anonymity, while suspense is built through anticipation rather than sudden shocks, which is typical of the psychological thriller genre.
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