Sound is a major feature of a psychological thriller and is used to create tension and suspense for the audience, without it psychological thrillers would not have the same effect on the audience. There are many different sounds used in psychological thrillers and they are often used in context, for example screeching tires would suggest some sort of car crash, Crash (1996) is a psychological thriller which is heavily about car crashes and would therefore contain a lot more screeching tires etc…
Many of the generic sounds used in psychological thrillers can also be found in select similar genres such as horror. The most common similarities would be the keys used on instruments to make some of these sounds, which are made the old fashioned way rather than with computer programs. The music can often be high pitched and very eriee to give the audience shivers while watching the screen while the music is playing as well, for example possibly the most recognisable piece of music ever created would be Bernard Herrman’s psycho shower music these themes are often designed to put you on edge and make your heart beat rise making you more involved with the film.
Some sounds that may be used in psychological thrillers could be:
Thunder claps and rain – used to signify to the audience the setting and it’s condition, however the rain especially is used to provide a calming effect to the audience, although in a psychological thriller these sound effects contradicts the genre of the film, making it come across deceitful and menacing. Thunder is used to create a jumpy, shocking effect engaging the audience with the thriller.
Owl twittering / Crow cowing – implies to the audience that the setting and character in the film are lonely in a deserted area, which is a common code and convention of any type of thriller, which produces tension and suspense as the audience are ware that something may jump out or frighten the character in the film. The same effect can often be reached with other birds such as a crows cows which can suggest something menacing or dangerous is about to happen as they are often associated with death.
Screams – characters screams are used to express the characters feelings and emotions. It can be used to foreshadow something bad about to happen, if they choose to cut the scene after the scream it would leave the audience on a cliff hanger situation. It can have an effect on the audience by keeping their attention and also giving them shivers over their body and creeping them out aswell.
Heavy breathing – is a common sound used in psychological thrillers, as it explains to the audience the state the characters mind and body is in also is very effective in portraying feelings. It can also be used to show things that are about to happen without actually showing it, for example heavy breathing followed by a scream and a slowly closing door could indicate rape or murder.
SFX (Sound effects)- common well known sound effect system that is used in psychological thrillers. These sound effects are produced via computer and are intensionally made to sound eerie, tense and suspicious. These are often expertly done during the editing phase of the film and can include things such as tires screeching or people whispering etc…
AS Media Studies Group 2 2016 