Codes and conventions of crime thriller films applied to the Silence of the Lambs

1. Codes and Conventions of the Crime Thriller Genre applied to “The Silence of the Lambs”
Crime and gangster films are often produced around menacing activities
of criminals or gangsters. They seem to particularly focus on bank
robbers, underworld figures or hoodlums who do not obey any laws and
get through their life by murdering and stealing. Older styles of these
films from the 1940s to the 1960s are called Film Noir. Film Noir is
characterized by a black and white style. However we shall be centring
our piece on the more modern type of crime drama, a crime thriller.
Crime Thriller
Crime thrillers include the enthralling aspects of a thriller with a crime film plot. The main
protagonist is often either a murderer, serial killer or centres on a robbery or manhunt. This genre
unlike film noir focuses on both the protagonist and the criminal. Both psychological and action
aspects are used to build suspense.
Characters
The characters tend to be criminals, assassins or thieves with a large number of victims. The
characters find themselves in a threatening situation and are often trapped and need to escape from
their situation. Main protagonist do not tend to realise they are in a dangerous situation. In crime
thrillers the hero is either a detective, police officer or private eye that tries to stop and solve the
criminal activity. The villains and heroes often share a past with the villain out to get the hero.
However emphasis is kept away from this aspect and instead focused on the plot.
Props
The props used in crime thrillers are items we do not associate with everyday life. There is a large
amount of weaponry such as knives and guns. These will be seen frequently throughout the film
putting focus on these props. Props associated with the hero are items such as detective hats,
polictape and badges etc.

2. Narrative
The narrative of a crime thriller keeps in line with the narrative of a thriller. It focuses around a
‘puzzle’ which needs to be solved which keeps the sense of mystery and engages the audience. As
the film goes on clues are usually found helping to piece together this puzzle creating a sense of
being one step closer to solving the puzzle and further drawing the audience into the plot. The main
realisation happens at the climax of the film where all the pieces are put together. The film can
remained fast paced keeping in line with the conventions of a thriller nut is cleverly slowed down at
tense moments in the film. Crime thrillers are set in capital cities and suburbs however some films
go against this trend and are instead set in areas such as the desert or the countryside.
Sound
Sound in crime thrillers is usually a backing track to compliment the dramatic or eerie scene taking
place. Non diegetic sounds are used rather than being diegetic due to prolonged scenes which cause
tension and suspense. The only diegetic sounds in crime thrillers would be weather conditions or for
props.