2. The protagonist in danger
Antagonist cleverer than protagonist
Storyline revolves around a mystery
Dominated by protagonists perspective
Focus on justice and morality of characters
Innocence within a corrupt world
Protagonist and antagonist face off against
each other
4. These are films which focus on solving a
crime or puzzle, commonly a murder.
They normally aim to deceive the audience by
placing “red-herrings” within the plot.
2 types : open and closed
Open – the culprit is revealed to the
audience who then watch the crime unravel.
Closed – the culprit isn’t revealed, plot
usually revolving around suspense.
6. Notorious (1946) – Alfred Hitchcock
Rear Window (1954) – Alfred Hitchcock
Rebecca (1940) – Alfred Hitchcock
The Prestige (2006)– Christopher Nolan
Unbreakable (2000) – M . Night Shyamalan
The Departed (2006) – Martin Scorsese
Blood Simple (1984) – Coen Brothers
7. They focus on the unstable emotional state of
characters.
Typically overlap other genres such as horror
and drama.
Focus on solving a mystery, usually involving
insanity or mistaken identity.
9. Psycho (1960) – Alfred Hitchcock
Repulsion (1965) – Roman Polanski
The Machinist (2004) – Brad Anderson
Shutter Island (2010) – Martin Scorsese
Insomnia (2002) – Christopher Nolan
10. Typically involving a mix of action and
mystery.
Focus on espionage.
Revolve around solving a crime or mystery,
the protagonist usually placed in danger.
11. The protagonist unravels a mystery.
Usually involves getting “in too deep”
Characters have difficulty in figuring out the
truth.
Involves rumours and lies.
Climax after revealing a secret.
12. Used camera in ways to create suspense and
maximise anxiety and fear.
Moved camera to mimic people’s gaze. Viewers
forced into voyeurism.
Career lasted longer than 50 years.
Appears in all of his films.
• The Lodger (1926) • Vertigo (1958)
• Blackmail (1929) • North by Northwest (1959)
• The 39 Steps (1935) • Psycho (1960)
• Rebecca (1940) • The Birds (1963)
• Notorious (1946) • Marnie (1964)
• Strangers on a Train (1951) • Torn Curtain (1966)
• Rear Window (1954) • Topaz 1969)
• The Wrong Man (1956)