In your opinion what is the key to an edge of your seat suspense thriller?

Question

In your opinion what is the key to an edge of your seat suspense thriller?

Answer 1

The kind of movie that doesn't all connect at all til the very end...

Answer 2

A big twist that you would never see coming. If a movie can fool me with what's going to happen, I love it. Most films are very predictable.

Answer 3

Lately movies have been resolving things too quickly. For example, in the first Harry Potter when he had to fly up to get the key out of thousands of flying keys. He could have had a harder time. I was anticipating him having to try a few keys. But then he flies right up and grabs the correct one right away. No time for suspense.



The last time I remember being on the edge of my seat, was when they had the baby Trex in the RV in Jurassic Park 2. The RV was hanging over a cliff and the windshield glass was slowly breaking like a spiderweb. Just a crack at a time. Meanwhile the Mother TRex was looming outside.



Listen to Alfred Hitchcock's theory on the bomb under the table. If you don't know it then it is worthwhile to look it up or watch his video called Master of Suspense. I cannot explain it on here.



I guess in today's ADD society, we don't have time for suspense.



Oh.. and Jerry, by the way.. there was some good suspense at the end of The Rock. I can watch that one over and over.

Answer 4

When you don't know "whodunnit" until the end of the show, especially if there's a twist in the end which no one expected! What makes me go back, is to determine what was the little clues that were there during the story. This to me is true for a book as well as for a movie.



May I take the chance also to tell you what a great fan I am of yours? I watch all the director/producer commentaries as well and it's a real inspiration! I can't wait for Deja Vu!!

Answer 5

Avoid tired cliche's such as:

1. The cat jumping out of the darkness just before the real killer does the same.

2. The girl tripping while running away.

3. The gun jamming at the most inopportune moment, or worse, someone firing 30 shots out of one clip.

4. The frustrated maverick police officer resigning by slamming his badge and gun down on the captain's desk.



Subtlety and cleverness almost always trump ham-handedness and cacaphony.



Watch the script for corny lines of dialogue that no real person would say if caught in a similar situation.



Use diversion tactics to keep people guessing who can and cannot be trusted.



Sarcasm and humor go a long way.



Have a real "AHA!" moment near the end where everything is revealed, in the most unexpected way possible.



Hire first rate actors. I mean - come on! - has there ever been a movie that wasn't made better by having Steve Buscemi in it, for example?



Avoid gratuitous use of blood and gore, and car chases / explosions. Avoid setting a scene in an empty, abandoned factory that somehow still has smoke and steam emanating from the pipes. And when people get in car chases, gun battles, etc. have the cops show up, just like they would in real life!



Lastly, (and most importantly) hire ME as your assistant, and have a film crew from A&E do a reality show about the creation of your new movie!!!



.

Answer 6

Well i beleieve the probelm with todays films is that they show too much. nothing is left for the mind to imagine. Suspense is not generated enough or the formula is too obvious. A recent film i saw was hard candy which was pretty surprising and not what i expected at all.



(Ps please don't do a pearl harbor 2)

Answer 7

The music mainly.



Also when there is a build up and you think something jumpy is going to happen, and then it doesn't. Builds adrenalin and keeps you guessing because you never know when a jump moment is going to happen!

Answer 8

I think the best thing about a thriller is when its your own imagination creating the fear! Suspence always helps (obviously!).



Music has alot to do with in my opinion - I know that when film makers get the right music I am hiding behind a cushion!!



I don't like obvious plots, i.e. I recently watched Saw 2, I knew from the beginning that there was a character from the 1st film in on it. It was disappointing.



I don't think cliche's work anymore, no more than sequels do.



As for what makes me see it again and again? Originality, a good story, a plot that makes sense and always a BIG twist right at the end that makes you say "Oh yeah, I can't beleive I didn't see that!"

Answer 9

There are many aspects to a good suspense thriller:-



Never being quite sure who the perpetrator is or maybe someone being chased (eg the Bourne films- my fave!) or having a time limit to do something or the whole world will explode! Also, having a real empathy with the main characters is very important - you can really start to feel for them and what they must be going through.



And I know this sounds a little odd, but the music in a film plays a big part. It can really help to get you on the edge or your seat.

Answer 10

Being able to identify with the protagonists and being able to believe the situation.



cheers.

Answer 11

Hmm… so you have already decided the title, cast, the plot and even the release date of that film.

So, perhaps the reason you asked the question in the first place is either because you want to see if that film will be to our liking OR because you are planning on another film.

If it is the latter (I hope it is) then the following might be helpful:

1. The title should be something catchy and the film poster, attractive, the trailer should be superb and tempting.

2. All-back-to-normal and satisfactory ending. There should be at least two survivors.

3. Main character(s) should not die or, at least, should live.

4.There should be wonderful, lovable and satisfactory twist(s).

5.Excellent but less known actors. All actors should be really good at acting.Special recommendation – James Marsters.

6.If a mystery movie, then less number of characters and limited area might make it more thrilling.

7.Complex themes or plots that are understandable to only professionals, can be unsuccessful.

8.Words that mean something when read one way and quite another thing the other way, might help. Eg- WOW and MOM

9.Cool or eccentric or smart detectives as characters in a mystery

10.Complex, eccentric, smart, in-depth characters.

11. The plot should be fast and should NEVER drag on and on.

12.Smart, witty, appropriate dialogues.

13.Quite modern situations. Don’t think of ancient plots.

14.Sparks of romance between some characters.

15.Characters who remain cool about everything that happens are either the actual villains or people with real good insight. This can be used for deception.

16.The time of day can be an effective thriller. Like 12:00 midnight or the use of the number 666.

17.It would be a good idea not to reveal the villain till the end, so that audience might think “I never thought of that”.

18.If the villain continues playing indestructible, it will be boring (or perhaps even scary)

19.Death of ‘some’ (minor) characters. Too many deaths make it lame. If there are no survivors or just one main survivor, it would be lonely…

20.Following the wrong clues or trails for some time before the mistake is realised.

21.Create a situation of dramatic irony where the audience yells at the character to do something or not to do something, while the character is unaware of the consequences. Or when the villain is known by the audience but not the hero.

22.Bad guy turning good or vice versa.

23.Something to have the attention of the audience and keep them spell-bound, so that they really jump off the seats when something scary happens. Like evil, cold, high pitched laugh in the middle when the audience is so absorbed…

24.Electricity failure or, best, malfunctioning (esp. light).

25.Uncertainty in the matters of trust, right decision, no-other-choice-but-this, etc.

26.Effective use of lightning, moonlight, footsteps, a sudden movement or sound, shadows, background music etc to intensify the crisis. Eg – revealing a scary face at the flash of lightning and/or rumble of thunder; hearing footsteps come near when a character is most scared, etc.

27.Things that do not connect till the middle of the movie, effective tying of loose ends, etc.

28.As much believable reality as possible. Like the police actually turning up.

29.Do not focus only on one character, even if it is the main one.

30.Having the audience think at first someone is a villain, then all the evidence points out that he isn’t (the audience believes it, too) and then finally it turns out that it truly is him. This can be an effective deception.

31.So many clues… uncertain where to start… time is short… dangers rise…



In addition, you can refer:

1)Harry Potter (Books NOT movies)

2)House of wax (film)

3)Mummy & Mummy returns (films)

4)Evil Dead I and II (films)

5)Agatha Christie books & films

6)Mind hunters (film)

7)Saw I, II and III (films)

8)Anaconda I (film)

9)And there were none AKA Ten little Indians ( book and film)

10) Psycho I, II, III and IV (films)



People really are at the edge of the seat when their favourite actor or character is in mortal peril or is about to be attacked from behind, when evil stalks someone, etc…



What makes us really see a movie again and again:

1)Excellent acting of the actors.

2)Lovable characters.

3)Appropriate witty and cunning actions or dialogues or laughs or even expressions of villains.

4)The stunning discoveries. The end. The final fight. Etc



In horror films the following greatly matter:

1)Supernatural scary beings or situations.

2)Death – The number of deaths AND the types of death

3)Marvellous portrayal of villains and Super-villains.

4)Characters matter far more than actors.

Hope I have been helpful.

Answer 12

Hi Jerry,



My opinion to what is the key to an of your seat suspense thriller is when you don’t know whodunit until the end of the show, especially if there’s a twist at the end which no one expected. Also the music, when there is a build up to when you think something jumpy is going to happen, and then it doesn’t. And what makes me go back and see it again and again? Well I would have to say a number of things for example the right casts is the main reason why I would go and see the movie again, and also if it was made believable with the possibility that it could happen in real life, also not overdoing the movie with special effects. Most movies these days have been ruined by to many unrealistic stunts and special effects. As long as you keep the film real and with the right casts then that would defiantly make me go back and see the movie again and again. I hope I have helped to answer your question.



Good luck and take care.

Answer 13

Key to an edge of your seat suspense thriller, eh? Boy.... That's a good question!



Well, first of all I think that the characters in the film should suit the role they are playing. Cast comes first!



Secondly, the music relevant to each scene in the movie. It has to be scary and should sound like as if something is going to happen any moment or right about now! But, actually doesn't.... All in good time though!



Last, but not least! You would want to compare the movie to those of Seven, Psycho, The Shining and The Hitcher! If you have a look at these movies, they have great cast! Great storyline! And yes, you do want to watch these movies again!



Seven was a real mind teaser, not very predictable (At the end, who would've expected the lunatic to ask a delivery man to deliver Gwen's baby in a box? Although Morgan Freeman was the one to open the box, but from his reactions it wasn't so obvious was it?) You see now......... Cast does make an impact on a movie!



Psycho was just brilliant!



The Shining...... Holy cows! Jack Nicholson at his best! The halucinations the little boy actually saw in the hotel of the flood of blood and the twin sisters who were killed somewhere around! I mean..... That movie makes me go YIKES!



The Hitcher....... Oh c'mon! Isn't that just brilliant!



Now, Jerry........ You might have been wondering why I did not mention The Exorcist! Well, not everybody will enjoy that movie! Yes it's a great movie! But, if I did not enjoy so much..... Many people wouldn't either! For me, it's very easy to tell what a good movie is and according to my recommendation of a movie I can guarantee a 100% satisfaction that it will be enjoyed!



The movie shouldn't be predictable at all and should include some jumpy scenes frequently, but not rapidly! It should tease and play with your mind and that's the film everybody will automatically get into! And that particular movie should be compared to the movies I have mentioned above. And let's not forget the title of the movie! The title of the movie should actually be relevant to the movie and hey....... If you got a good movie! You have also got a good title! Like....... Seven!



Hope you all agree to my opinion! Thanks a bunch fella's!

Answer 14

1. Dont use flashbacks or versions, they are rubbish.

2. Show the action through the eyes of the Killer. It makes you feel as if you are in the movie.

3. If the above is not feasible then, make sure you never really get to see the Hunter, killer etc, just faint glimpses in mirrors, or shadows etc.

4. Use real characters. By this i mean dont use massive blockbuster names. It is more believable in a film where you are not as familiar with the characters. It is difficult to imagine a hollywood actor or actress in a thrilling role when we have seen them as mermaids, robots, prison guards etc etc. Take "28 Days Later". This is a true classic and the charcters are not quite as familiar to the audience. This gives it a more realistic, gritty feel.

5. I always find a little bit of comedy is a chance for the audience to breath and relax and then POW back into the action. It is like a rollercoaster. You dont have 4G all the way round. They give you chances to think "PHEW everthing is going to be ok after all" or " Thank goodness that is over".

6. If i have to guess what is going to happen next then that is a good thriller. We have all seen the planet under attack, or under threat. We have all experienced Aliens wiping out humans on some remote planet. And you could bet a few dollars that everything will work out in the end. I know audiences love a happy ending, but sometimes a ending that just makes you think is far superior.



Black Hawk Down was fantastic because it was a true story and gave the audience a taste of what we go through on a daily basis.



Theoretically the SAW trilogy is a horror, but it is a very cleverly choreographed and thought out story line. The first one is the best as you never quiet realise what is going to surface.



Please Jerry, always keep us guessing.

Oh and if you have any vacancies then give me a shout...lol

Answer 15

The key to "an-edge-of-your-seat" suspense thriller is taking notes from the master himself Alfred Hitchcock and the movies that he's done that made them worth watching. When he did the movie 'Psycho' the main focus was keeping the audience not knowing what to expect. No other filmmaker has been successful as him in doing this because the bar of expectations is set to his movies now being the standard.



You have to constantly keep the audience guessing of what comes next BEFORE the music cue. This is very important. If someone is at the edge of the seat when hearing the cue, then you are doing your job as a filmmaker well.



A lot of people will think it's difficult but it's not. Every good movie has a formula. Making a thriller is like making a horror movie. But the only difference is the audience shouldn't know who's the monster that the hero will eventually vanquish.



Near the end of the movie the villain is revealed and has the audience guessing throughout the film it was this character. It should always be the one you least suspect as the killer. Within the last fifteen minutes of any suspense thriller should be at the climax or else it ends up looking like a mystery movie than a thriller.



I hope that this is the answer you are looking for.

Answer 16

I think one of the basics of a good suspense film is not to tell the press too much about it from the start. I believe the media has spoilt a lot of people's enjoyment over the years by giving away major plot twists etc, even on tv these days you know for weeks what is going to happen and instead of making you watch, you just don't bother as you already know what the 'water-cooler' moment is going to be.



When I saw 'The Sixth Sense' all I knew about it was that it starred Bruce Willis as a guy helping a child who was experiencing disturbing problems. I saw it at a halloween preview and then spent the next week being very careful not to say too much to anyone else, and just recommended it as a good film as i didn't want to spoil it for them. I think that when you see a good film like that it gives the audience a sense of responsibility not to ruin the end for anybody and therefore the box office takings will be higher by reputation alone.



The script should veer the viewer off into another direction to distract them from what is actually going on and I find another good method is to have the 'events' happen during a comedic scene, so that the audience has become more relaxed and is not expecting the drama to happen at that time.



Its also important not to misjudge the audiences intellegence. People of all ages go to the cinema and I have personally found too many of the suspense 'thrillers' I have seen recently rely on a teenage perspective. The only recent exception to this I can think of is 'The Prestige'. That was a really enjoyable couple of hours (like so many thrillers though the female roles were badly underwritten. It would be nice to see a female doing more than being a wife/girlfriend or being used by one male participant to get to know what the other male is thinking. It would be nice to see that a female can be equally if not more willing to use their intellegence to outfox the men)( Kathleen Turner in 'Body Heat' being a great example of that)



Thrillers should never have sequels, and if they must, they should take the story off on a tangent and give it a whole new arena to explore.



Lastly I think in a really great film, the end should really leave you with an impression that maybe you could have seen it coming and that you should go back and see it again to see if you can spot the clues that were left for you (if any, much more fun if there are none though, hey?) (although not a thriller, I loved the end of 'Lost in Translation' when you couldn't tell what Bill Murray whispered to Scarlett Johanssen. It infuriated me for months after as I had thought the woman who coughed behind me right at that moment was the reason I hadn't heard it, but of course when i bought the dvd, and put the subtitles on it just said 'He whispers')







Good luck for your future projects!

Answer 17

The Haunting with Clare Bloom, very scary but you never actually see anything. Not too much "make you jump even though you know its coming" moments like on Alien for instance, and a plausible story, one that COULD happen maybe even if it is a little far fetched. Also an unexpected twist would be good either somewhere in the film or right at the end. But without a complicated reason for it, let the viewer understand and not walk away feeling like they have just seen Einstein lecture on his theories. Have little bits that are not noticed at first until you watch the film again such as in The Sixth Sense, Bruce Willis had the same clothes on throughout and there was always something red around when the ghosts were in the scene. A little bit of crying inducing moments and laughing ones to. Oh if the girls in it HAVE to be perfectly stunning please make them have real personalities with some flaws and hang ups. Better still make the leading lady at least an English size 14, you know, a real woman. If you use any of my suggestions can I come to the studio and watch some of the filming and will I get royalties too? Tee Hee.

Answer 18

Hello Mr. Bruckheimer! Well, in my opinion what keeps me on the edge of the seat is when the music compliments the scene, the actors have legitamacy and a good story line. The kind of story line where you think you know what's going on and at the last possible second, it turns into a whole other scenerio. A movie that keeps you thinking you know who the bad guy is, and then all of the sudden, it is really someone else. That's what keeps me coming back for more! Hope this was a clear explaination for you. Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year!

Answer 19

a great script with an original idea. Seeing the same old stuff over and over again (namely the remakes) is just boring no matter who the actors are - The movie companies wonder why revenue is dropping from theatre tickets - it's becasue we've all seen the movies they are repackaging, recasting, and refilming and why would I pay $10 to see something I've already seen.

I really think great writing is the key. Too many movies rely on mediocre acting by "big name" recognizable actors. Some of the best movies I've seen are casted with unknowns.

A movie that is not predictable but still believable - definately not a textbook movie - you know what I mean - the rebel cop with a bad attitude, a controlling boss that just doesn't understand him, all that garbage. Give me something original and DO NOT film it in front of a green screen - real sets or actual locations can make even a "b" movie better than 90% of the crap in theatres today.



What makes me go back and watch it again- to see what I missed the first time because the ending came out of nowhere.



This is going to sound stupid but the movie "clue" (even though it is a comedy) is one of those movies - I have watched it dozens of times looking for the parts they explain at the end when they reveal the crime. Also, "Slevin," and "Six degrees of Separation" round out my top three.

Answer 20

Good actors, (lesser known actors can be just as good if not better than some of the big names) and no I am not an actress or an aspiring one. A well written story and a great setting/atmosphere.

That sets the tone, then other things include: music and or sound effects (think of the sound that the tornado made in twister) or in Jurassic park when the kids were in the car and the vibration from the T-Rex was making the glass of water ripple, just before it roars! Or even that sound from the girl ghost thing in the Grudge. It makes your skin crawl!

An example of a movie that had potential to be a hit was the DaVinci Code. I like Ron Howard and Tom Hanks so I do not like to sound too harsh! But, Tom was not the right character for it. I think that role called for a much lesser known actor one with no pre-consieved notions. Although personnaly if I had to pick I would have chosen Bill Pullman!?

Anyway that plot had all the fixin's for a great one but fell flat. The dialogue reminded me of a dull lecture. Too bad it had so much potential, I hope if someone does Angels and Demons they use a completely different formula and cast.



A plot that :

-keeps you guessing or that has many twists and turns

-is intelligent and believable

-combines a bit of myth whether ancient or urban

-does not drag on and on and on

-does make you feel as if you know the main characters

-leaves you guessing a bit



Here are a list of thriller/suspense movies that I watch more than once ( there are not too many).

The Ninth Gate

The Ring

Twister

Jurassic Park

Armagedon

Silence of the Lambs

The Fugitive

The Shining

The Mummy

Speed

One Hour Photo

Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Answer 21

A few movies that are winners...The Fog (original), Halloween, Friday the 13th. A movie that had it, then lost it? Jeepers Creepers.

They could have milked that franchise until the end of time if they only kept the "monster" a secret. It was a great movie with the idiot fella actually climbing into the pipe, etc. It was suspenseful and edge of your seat type stuff until the whole thing was ruined by actually seeing the winged demon, then it just got laughable. Shame.

Never put the culprit on the movie poster or DVD cover. Don't let the audience see who is the perpetrator.

By all means, allow the bad guy to come back to life. That is always a bonus.

I have seen the Fog loads of times and I think it's the suspense and the creepiness when Adrienne Barbeau is on the radio beggging anyone to help her son and that he's "trapped in the house". The beauty is that we had no idea what was in the fog just that there was something.

Anyone losing their mind in films is great. The Shining is a classic but dare I say it, Jack Nicholson didn't appear stable enough before he lost his marbles. The magic was lost for me.

Answer 22

Leave the viewer to use their own imagination, like on the original The Haunting with Clare Bloom, very scary but you never actually see anything. Not too much "make you jump even though you know its coming" moments like on Alien for instance, and a plausible story, one that COULD happen maybe even if it is a little far fetched. Also an unexpected twist would be good either somewhere in the film or right at the end. But without a complicated reason for it, let the viewer understand and not walk away feeling like they have just seen Einstein lecture on his theories. Have little bits that are not noticed at first until you watch the film again such as in The Sixth Sense, Bruce Willis had the same clothes on throughout and there was always something red around when the ghosts were in the scene. A little bit of crying inducing moments and laughing ones to. Oh if the girls in it HAVE to be perfectly stunning please make them have real personalities with some flaws and hang ups. Better still make the leading lady at least an English size 14, you know, a real woman. If you use any of my suggestions can I come to the studio and watch some of the filming and will I get royalties too? Tee Hee.

Answer 23

IMO for an edge of your seat thriller you need some (but not necessarily all) of the following



1. a strong and innovative script (no world domination, psycho killer preaching to the world stuff)

2. believable and engaging characters (nothing like that kid in The Client)

3. the hero should be able to make mistakes, resulting in dire consequences for him or those close to him (Miami Vice TV Series, 24, Arlington Road) - which results in the audience rooting for him/her

4. if there is a mystery, it should only be unravelled little by little, keeping the audience as much in the dark as the main character (North by Northwest)

5. there should be a constant sense of imminent danger for everyone involved (The Thing)

6. twists and turns keeping the audience guessing what is really going on (Charade)

7. the story happening in real time or with an otherwise set time frame/ ultimatum (Nick of Time, 24)

8. the villain's motives should be clear and logical

9. strong actors and an excellent score (Ronin)

10. good pacing - the audience should be sucked in right from the start

11. the (re-)actions of all characters should be believable as desperate people commit desperate actions (To Live and Die in L.A.)

12. no comic-relief characters, if you want edge of your seat, then you don't need comic relief





In order for a thriller to hold up to a 2nd or more viewings the main twist/ resolution should be as such that you want to look for clues foreshadowing the eventual outcome (i.e. the Sixth Sense, Fight Club) whenever you see the film again.



Another possibility could also be to have the film end on a cliffhanger (not for a sequel), but as to encourage discussion about the film's outcome among the audience.

Answer 24

The music - e.g. from the original "When a Stranger Calls" scared me more than the actual film, It was quiet and creepy at times but when you least expected it it rose to very high notes which sent shivers down my back.



Confusion - When a film gives the viewer so many clues they don't no where to start



Cause and Effect e.g. "The Butterfly Effect" the film demonstrates perfectly how changing small things in the past can make a big impact on the present. Another great example is "Frequency" with Dennis Quade



Unknown actors - using unknown actors makes a film much less predictable, the audience don't know how the character would react in certain situations i.e. Arnold Schwarzenegger you can predict how his character will react -the characters he play are always extremely similar.



The things which makes me watch a film over and over again are: clue's you miss when they occur but once you watch the film for a second, third and fourth time you notice them. Humour is also great especially when it involves sarcasm. And finally dramatic twists in the plot for example "Hide and Seek" with Robert Deniro, all the way through the film you think the little girl has an imaginary friend who is killing everyone the next thing you know it was her dads other personality and in fact he was schizophrenic

Answer 25

There are many things which make a film really good.



The most important one in my view is the soundtrack, The music can make or break a movie. A good soundtrack can create suspense, atmosphere, mood or can just be used to enhance an action scene. one great soundtrack was in band of brothers, the main theme of that series can still make my friend cry, which is quite scary to watch, He's a big guy. A bad soundtrack can destroy a movie Underworld for instance, The concept was exciting and after watching the trailers i really wanted to see it. After watching the movie itself i was very disappointed, it had barely any music, The action scenes were unexciting dispute the speed. It needed music behind it.



Another thing i enjoy is a movie which keeps you guessing, with twists and small things re-veiled as the movie progresses. The audience is unsure what to think, even to the point where they don't know whether to side with the protagonist or not. Though a film like this needs a solid conclusion or it falls flat on its face.

This also makes a viewer want to come back, When you watch again despite knowing the twist to the plot you see small things showing you the true nature of the film. The more you watch the more you see.

Answer 26

The key to an edge of the seat thriller is the power of suggestion. Hitchcock was a master, in that to start you "saw" what he was putting in front of you, and slowly throughout the subject would be less apparent, but because of the shot of the camera angle, your "Mind's Eye" would "see " it for you. Claustrophobic situations - "Alien" - and the 1970s "Black Christmas" were fine examples of such a genre.

I find that washed out colour or even sepia black and white lends an atmosphere that may not be present in full gore fest colour.

Also a favourite thriller of mine is Francis Ford Coppola's "The Conversation", which reaches into the soles of your feet just watching Gene Hackman. I could go on for a long time on this as it is a topic close to my heart, but i won't as the next part of your question is repeat viewings.

If the script stands up and the whole cast & crew are in synch then there should be no reason why you wouldn't want to go back again and again. Surprise performances from those you don't expect - Mickey Rourke and Elijah Wood "Sin City" - is also a reason, as it strengthens the whole piece.

Answer 27

Hi Jerry,



The problem with thrillers is giving too much too soon. The key is to slowly lead in with strange circumstances slowly building plot and thickening the suspense gradually.



In my own personal experience, thrillers are very much influenced by the way it is shot. For example, the dark, eerie house in the Others let the suspense raise purely by accelerating and decelerating camera shots with very little being said throughout. Children of Men is another example of cinematic brilliance. The car scene in the first half of the film was one camera, one shot. No music, no overdramatics. It thrusts you inside the car with the actors and what was shot felt very real, so much so, the entire cinema was sweaty-palmed. Again, later on in the film, the scene through the anarchy-hit town, one camera, one very long shot, two very sweaty palms.



The problem with cinema nowadays is the over-use of CGI, which, although a fantastic tool, it should not jeoprodise the storyline purely to woo the audience with pretty colours. Example, (sorry) Pearl Harbour. Too much went on in the bombing sequence and although very impressive for the first 5 mins, the following 15 became bland.



Back to the issue of thrillers. The casting is also crucial. Silence of the Lambs would not be what it is without Foster and Hopkins. A big name purely for a big name is an unfortunate trend in hollywood, and much more adequate actors are getting the short straw over 'flavour-of-the-month' actors, which shall remain nameless.



The story should not be simple, neither should it be some needless overcomplicated mess. Remember Phone Booth? That worked beautifully. Just enough edge to keep you guessing and all within 2' X 2' cubicle.



Thanks and I hope this is of some help.





PS. plenty of jumpy bits too!

Answer 28

its so rare to watch a good suspense film that doesnt require you suspend your sense of reality. A plot that "plays fair"is always a good thing. improbable situations and outcomes are never a good thing. revealing the identity or appearance of the villain/monster way to soon in the movie always disappoints me. for this reason, one of my all time faves is "The Haunting" (the b/w version NOT the new version)and "the Other" (I mean the one based on t.tyron's novel,not "The Others" from a few years ago) i think the last movie to have a truly creepy moster was "Alien" (1979? or 80?) we always get the same old cliched group of caractured characters nowadays it seems. the best suspense flick of recent years, i think was "Saw". it really kept you guessing and then proved you wrong even when you thought it had showed you the "reveal". that, i think, is what audiences crave in this genre. as for what will make you go back again and again: well i'm not the type to ever see a movie twice unless theres at least 5-7 years between viewings. but i must admit that "The Sixth SEnse" made me rewind my tape a few times just to assure myself that i had been dealt a fair hand.also good was "Identity" from about 4 years back, just for its sheer originality,suspense, and cunning plot. i think its high time for a classy remake of "And Then There Were None"--this is with out a doubt the most original and convincing premise for a suspenseful murder mystery ever conceived--and not a drop of blood or a monster in sight! Christie at her best! this kind of a movie would appeal to audiences of any generation--and this is one instance where i think the ending of the movie was slightly better than the ending of the book--not sure if Christie did the screenplay or not. can you do it?

Answer 29

I have one aspect that makes a thriller excellent and thats the element of suprise, you always get the same build up of music as the girl slowly reaches for the door and then she opens the door the music blares out and nothing in there, then someting happens. Same old Same Old



What about turning that idea on its head, have the main jump before she actually gets to the door when the music is only half as built as it should be, Sixith Sense got this right with its spooky moments.



Also things you don't see are more harrowing than what you do see. Keep the gore off screen and hidden with a camera facing just away from whats happening and use sound to display it. Very scary.



Never reveal the real killer or being if you see them it makes them less scary.



And to really top it all off, never end the move, make it close but don't reveal it cliff hangers are spot on.



Danny

Answer 30

the key is everyone involved wants to do it. They want to make the same film, and they work to make it the best it can be.



sometimes you see a film with a great script, great cast, but for some reason it doesn't work. Sometimes it would be better if you cut a cameo from some star, but the marketing people want to keep it. Sometimes things get slowed down by stupid jokes, long sex scenes, or otherwise trying to please too many people.



But a great film is just one that keeps getting better when anyone touches it. The writer, the actors, the editor, everyone needs to have a passion for the same vision.



The key as far as plot goes is different for each film. Sixth sense had a mystery and some characters to care about. Speed it's the fact that anyone could die. Sometimes its just a cool character, like in The Third Man. In The Fugitive it's the problem with justice, and the fact that the "bad guy" seems to be doing the right thing, even though he's totally wrong.



A mystery would suck for the Fugitive, as would too cool a villain, and Sixth Sense would be stupid if people we're dying left and right. So there is no universal key.



What made me want to see se7en again and again is to watch more friends jump when the "dead" guy jumps up. To share the experiences with new people is one reason to watch films over again.

Answer 31

Characterisation, characterisation, characterisation.



John Osborne's 'Look Back in Anger', along with 'Twelve Angry Men' (to name just two of many) take place in one room with nothing happening. Both are riveting.



Not that I am deriding action, I loved the British Police Drama's of the 70's and 80's. 'The Sweeney' and 'Minder' along with the more recent 'Cracker' held the attention long after the action sequences were forgotten.

One of my favourite films was Eastwood's 'The Outlaw Josie Wales'.

The character must have a story that makes him sympathetic and a little bit tragic.

Formulaic sequences and actors, have been boring us for years. Use a formula by all means but make sure it has some personal spark and pathos.

Goes for suspense as much as for horror, comedy, action and drama.

You must already know that 'hits' have been where someone has commanded the screen, whether he be hero or villain. The story and the action were bonuses.

This is why 'stars' are paid so much. But overexposure and misusing a 'star' (when they are ill suited or cliched for the role) kills a film.

In my view it is scriptwriters who should command at least equal salaries to actors.

Case in point, I bought 'The Big Kahuna' largely because you cannot really go wrong with De Vito and Spacey. I watch that movie about 5 times a year, every year. It is about three salesmen in a hotel room at a sales conference. Something that in real life would send me running for the exit. Now that is writing and acting.

Answer 32

Jerky camera movements. Lighting effects similar to that in 28 Days Later.



In my opinion, the most important element in a thriller is a sudden change in reality in the denouement.



Too much dialogue might make it a Sundance selection, but it can heed the pace of the film. Everyone understands jerky camera movements and lighting tricks, as well as a change in reality towards the end.



I have mixed views regarding the device some people use where they insert flashbacks and show the scene again with an extra element at the end. For a big budget film, I think it cements the quality and payback on the film, however, especially in the international market. For instance, in The Sixth Sense, I know there were multiple viewings by individuals just to see how the main character interacted in the building of the film as it was revealed later that he was dead. Again, I really like the sudden shift of reality.



Poppy/emo music as well as attractive (don't have to be known, necessarily) actors help.

Answer 33

It's just not knowing what's going to happen next. Which way is the plot going? Get me disorientated and just when I think I'm understanding what is happening - just turn everything on it's head again! Is that person really a good guy or a bad guy? Are they really going to do that??? How are they going to get of this situation!!!



What makes me want to go back and see it again and again? Trying to work out at what point in the film was the baddie's real intentions were revealed. Did I miss something in the plot the first time of viewing it? Now I know what the outcome is can I make some sense out of the twists in the plot?



One movie I needed to watch back as soon as I saw it was the Sixth Sense. I didn't get it the first time around and it's still one of my favourite movies.



(p.s if you are the real Jerry Bruckeimer I just like to thank you for all the entertainment you bring to both the small and large screen. I love all the CSI's! You've got a good recipe going in your plot lines please don't change the ingredients!!).

Answer 34

I think there are various ‘devices’ that can ratchet up the tension…



The Inescapable Situation

An inescapable situation, e.g. The claustrophobic space craft in the original Alien, the cliché deserted building in an isolated location - used well in The Shining, the lonely boat at sea Cape Fear & Dead Calm, the empty road in the middle of nowhere - Duel….



The Chase

The fast paced pursuit that puts the hero in peril e.g. North by Northwest, Bullitt, Duel, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Bourne Identity, The Fugitive, etc



Music

The music plays a very important role also e.g. Assault on Precinct 13 (1976), Cape Fear, Psycho, Jaws…etc



Menace

The menace that remains largely unseen, perhaps just glimpsed for a few seconds…until the final denouement (Alien, Jaws) or the more obvious human menace that terrorises the other characters (Cape Fear).



Surprise

The surprising moments that jump out of the screen …



Just some of my thoughts…after all if I really knew what I was talking about… I’d be doing your job!



P.S. I think CSI is a great show - but my one issue with it, is the fact that the characters never wear forensic suits…

Answer 35

A good plot----The village is a good example-- although it's not too scarey and not much of a horror-- It has a genious plot



MYSTERY AND SUSPENCE



Create tension



leading the audience on to a twist--a fake lead on



Playing with the audience's imagination-- Use many connotations that we associate with horror and change them



Creating a relationship/ somebody the audience can relate to closely--more fun and watchable



Lots of music to suggest that something is going to happen--quick tip-------DO NOT play the music to show something is going to happen and then nothing happens- Trust me on this one, everyone i've watched a thriller do not like this--It is boring and nobody can tell if something is going to happen--puts me straight off movies because there is no (or not much) dramatic irony which can make the audience more on the edge of their seat and excited--yelling at the charactor to do something when the charactor does not know=fun--Also creates a sence of relationship with the charactor as u are concerned for them--makes u want to watch it and such.



Lots of point of view shots always compliment a good thriller and also over the shoulder shots.



Hope these are a help--sorry couldn't help u out on what makes u see a film over and over but i'm not really sure--sorry



Have a great Christmas and a happy new year-- Good luck with the movie--hope it turns out well!!



Bonnie



xxxxxx

Answer 36

Menace, atmosphere, a chase, slow-motion [not to much. Brian De Palmer will be the best person to get advice from] and music.



Here is a list of films, that if you take certain things from - you will have the perfect suspense film.



PSYCO

For me, the film that changed the face of suspense and menace in film making. I remember watching it for the first time, when I was about 14. Although the shower scene was of course scary, it was another that really took me by surprise and unnerved me. This was when the Private Investigator went to the house. You watch has he slowly walks up the stairs. You know that there is menace, but you are taken completely by surprise by what happens next. You exspect him to reach the top of the stairs and find something in one of the rooms. However, the camera then suddenly flicks to the bottom of a door, which then slightly opens. All of a sudden, there is arial camera shot and a strange figure rushes towards the investigator and brutely murders him. The fact that you never clearly see the killer, adds to the shock of what happens.

As for the music, well it is perfect. In particular, the famous shower piece.The only music to ever come close to emulating it for terror value - is the Jaws theme.



THE LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE



This was made in 1973 and for sheer atmosphere, in my opinion - it can not be equalled. Also, although people are not being slaughtered, the feeling of menace there, is exceptionally strong.



RACE WITH THE DEVIL



This was made in 1975 and is one of the most underrated films ever made. It is packed full of suspense and as a great surprise ending. The slow-motion, really adds to the shock.



LEON



The fact that you never see the assain for quite a while going about his work, particuly early on, really adds to the suspense. The terror of the boss, has all his men are eliminated one by one - is electrifying.



ALIEN



This in effect, also happens in this film. However, here, you suddenly have the face of the alien suddenly appearing right next to the victim. As for the dinner table scene - well that will always be a classic film moment.



Although you know what happens, I watch them again and again, because each thing that I have mentioned, makes them stand out against other films and in a way - it still surprises you.

Answer 37

Having a lot of 'could be them's' is good for me, a movie that keeps you guessing right till the last minute!



It's also good when it turns out that you have totally misread the whole the movie and find out that something other than what you 'think' has been going in, is going on. A plot under a plot I think it would be put!



If a movie is based in some truth, then it even better, becasue you are thinking the whole time - this could actually happen to me/my family.



'White Noise' is a perfect example of an edge of your seat suspence thriller for me, it looked real, the characters were brilliant, and the fact that the special features actually shows you how 'white noise' can contain voices from the past freaked me out even more!

Answer 38

Edge of the seat, well, doesn't need to be blood, guts, music that's being over used to increase the stress (especially in situations where there is no threat), that's plain annoying - always feels like a co. I think Hitchcock got it right by removing music at crucial times. (Coincidentally, one of the pythons used the same trick to intensify comedic moments). I think the key is to get the mind engaged, to encourage active viewing, where for what ever reason, and by whatever hook, you find yourself TRYING to get ahead of the action, and being delighted by the times you succeed, and by the times you don't see it coming. As long as it still all makes sense.



I suppose this is perhaps the hardest to get right, IMO. The other tricks (the dead person who's not quite dead and has another lunge, the faked stress music etc) are just that, and cheap tricks too. Having the plot and characters pull you into the story, is harder to achieve, and so much more rewarding for the viewer.



As to HOW to do it, well, search me :-) Novel and new approaches are always the best through, anything that's not recognised as being a standard formula quickly gets me for one interested, where as pure formula stuff is watchable, but the bran takes a snooze.



What would make me go back and see it again - interesting hints and clues that are designed to be MISSED pretty much the first time, but that are there for someone seeing it again to find. And definitely interesting interaction between the characters. What could prevent me going back, well, cliches and plot twists that make no sense.

Answer 39

Obviously not making the plot sophmoric and predictable. I hate to say it, but for me, there wasn't a moment of suspense in movies like Armegeddon or The Rock, because they were so contrived. You just knew the planet was going to be saved from the start.



For suspense, take lessons from films likes Jaws, Alien, Aliens, Contact, The Terminator, Pitch Black, Dawn of the Dead. Note that some of the most suspensful movies have the source of terror on screen for very short periods of time. A thriller has to not only thrill, but calm. It's the up and down rollercoaster effect that does it. Music/Sound is especially important in this regard.



Wanting to see a movie again and again is all about CHARACTERS. Not just great acting, but great characters that act in fresh and unusual ways. Combine a good script with an accomplished actor, and you've got an infectious film that people will watch over and over. Think Ferris Bueller, Young Frankenstein, The Princess Bride, Full Metal Jacket, Platoon, Amadeus, The Gangs of New York. A standout performance can elevate an otherwise mediocre movie to a good, or great one. Top Gun had some of this in the characters like Jester & Iceman.

Answer 40

Personally I like films and tv movies (like 24) that twist and twist like an alligator with its prey to finally spit you out 2 hours later and it turns out to be some bloke who is completely unexpected. I guess this almost mirrors what happens in some criminal cases anyway where the murderer or plotter has been in contact with the press during investigations to feed their own warped sense of self-importance, though they are not suspected by the people.

I think people return to movies because they want to see what they missed the first time and see the clues again. If they enjoy the rollercoaster of the thriller they will go back again and again.



Now if you work through this plot I work on 15% normally but as it's you I'll accept 10% ;)



This is the real gthecelt on Yahoo Answers

Answer 41

For me it's not knowing until the very end! A lot of movies now you can guess what's going to happen in the first 5 minutes. Make it believable. Don't go over the top to where it is very unrealistic. Music is key as well. Great music at the right time does a lot for a movie.

some examples of great movies that I liked and thought were suspensful are:

Primal Fear

The Sixth Sense

Runaway Jury

Saw (the first one)

Answer 42

There are a few things , in my veiw, that make a great suspense thriller.



First is a realistic story line, the kind of situation is that is actually possible - bent politicians , covert government departments, terrorists ,underworld gangs and situations that would affect the average man on the street - no space monsters , no superhuman powers - man has done enough horrific stuff to man without these.



A plot which unfolds steadily over the entire film ,without too many subplots which make it too complicated to follow. And no definate answers to who did what till the end of the film - keep them guessing. And just for once how about a film where the bad guy walks away the winner after the good guy has used all means at his disposal and still cant stop him - more realistic.

Answer 43

For me it's two things:



1 - A character who is well rounded enough and just sympathetic enough that I care what happens to them. They can be nice or mean but as long as I care about them I'm worried for them when they get into a bad situation. That's what makes the suspense intense.



2 - A well written plot that has not been dumbed down. Twists and turns, deception, deceit, anticipation and people doing their utmost to delude and confuse each other. If it's well written and a little complicated it's perfect. That is what makes you go back and watch it again and again because you want to see the nuances and work out why 'X' said that at this time to 'Y' and how they got away with it.



IMHO these are the two most important things. Good actors, music, score, lighting, camera angles etc are all important but not as important.

Answer 44

At the age of 5 or 6 I was supposed to be asleep in the back of the station wagon at the drive-in movie theatre, and the one thing I can remember that made me love horror films was Vincent Price's movies.

Mum was sick and tired of telling me to ly down, until finally she just let me watch it. The intenseness of Vincent Price's eyes and eery slow voice was mesmerising, everything was more left to the imagination then like you do when you read a good book. The slow build up, the suspense and definetely the music hooks you in.

Fatal attraction was one movie I tried to get my boyfriend at the time to watch, so he would not have any plans of playing up on me.. (didn't work).

If you can identify with the main characters from real life in this day and age partnerships (gay), teetering marriages and forbidden loves, then that gets both male and female sympathy buttons going..

Glen Close made me actually feel sorry for her character with the intense love she felt for someone she could not have consuming her life..

All about the realness from day to day lives that no one really talks about openly, except for maybe anonomously here on Yahoo Answers..

If I was a movie producer I would make a suspense thriller about this web site here and see what happens..

As the old saying goes, the truth is stranger than fiction.

Please make an old fashioned type thriller like in Vincent Price's day.. lots of atmosphere that pulls you into another world..

The key is having sympathy for a solid character who's feelings you can relate to that makes you want to view it again and again..

Answer 45

I am an avid film goer, but do not have any technical abilities on film making. Suspense, for me, is when something ordinary is happening and taken to an extraordinary level. Another technique I like is when something pleasant is juxtaposed next to something suspicious or thrilling as in many of the Hitchcock movies. In Psycho the ordinary mundane is gradually escalated until it reaches a frenzy. In Final Destination the audience presume that the worst is over but as a film watcher you know that this is bound not to be so. So after the action happens there is still more suspense to come. The average person can be put in an extraordinary situation in which they have to use every ounce of their acumen to sort things out. But they are never quite sure whether or not they are safe. In some cases you are led down a trail or alley (figuratively or literally) and you think something is going to happen and something else happens which really knocks you out. Cliches are okay but they must have a new life a new meaning. take the old and twist it until its new again.

Answer 46

For a start, dropping the predictable Hollywood format of ramming every detail down your throat would be a good start. I know the democratisation (dumbding down) of films widens thier appeal, and therefore makes the job easier for the Executive Producer to find funds, but it lessens the return factor of the film.



Thrillers should not be predictable, the musical language we use to build up tension, should be played around with, or discarded when the audience least expects it. what was good for an audience in the 1930's is now so understood, directors really have to take the game to another new level.



Forget big budget overkill, -all singing - all dancing hyper-reality is fine in small portions, but subtle little films are the ones that draw back audiences for repeat performances. And a second of film that is well written is worth an hour of some drab production, just look at the adaptions of Tom Clancy's work, or Grisham novels.



The real key I think, is to use un-known actors in key roles, actors who we do not have a pre-conception about thier acting range, or an idea if they will survive to the end of the movie. The best shock would be to put a big name in the film, and to kill them off at the start, to do it in such a way, as to add a element of doubt as to who has died for a moment, and then when the audience finds out it was the star, you can slip a few more clues past them, which they will have to race back over in thier heads.



finally, do not put a sloppy hollywood ending onto your masterpiece, and make us have to wait 15 years for the directors cut, to find out what was actually on your mind, produce a dvd with multiple ending senarios (predictable, happy, directors, which the viewer can pre-select, and thus save themselves utter disapointment.



ps, loved flashdance, black hawk down was not bad either, pirates is a bit too over-kill for my taste, but well made, but Enemy of the State was your best film, a cinematic work of genius, or would have been without the car chase. what I am trying to say, the moment you add physical drama to the story, it lost a little bit of the mental drama.



Nice to see you on Yahoo answers, prove me wrong lol

Answer 47

Not sure which type of thriller you are thinking of? Supernatural, Mystery(Who did it type), action packed, psychological?

My preference is psychological or some type of supernatural



-good casting, not necessarily famous but can act the part hired to do.

-well written story

-great setting

-great sound effects and or music (berlioz in the shining!)

-bringing in the everyday into the movie helps us masses cozy up to the story more(someone shopping at Wal-Mart, bad hair day)

-placing protagonist in situations where they need to think quick and get themselves out of a jam using unique skills they posses

-being able to zoom in on actor during stressful scene and hear them breath hard or see sweat bead etc

-some type of variance in type of lighting or lens filter

-great dialog (personal pref) I like the action but not overkill

-no over the top gore/blood a little goes a long way

-leave some things to the imagination but tie up most loose ends

-symbolism



I do not know how to explain what it is that makes me see a movie over and over esp limited to one genre but. In the last year two suspense/thriller type movies I have watched more than once are Flight plan and The War of the Worlds.

I thought both movies would have been horrible. Flight plan? how can a movie work on that premise! I was so delitefully proven wrong I thought it was brilliant! It has all of the things you asked about! War of the Worlds was visually stunning the sound effects were cool and it kept my adrenaline pumping!



Other movies that have made me watch time and time again in the suspense type genre:



Shining

Carrie

Amityville Horror

Silence of the Lambs

Contact

Armagedon

Ninth Gate

Sixth Sense

The Villiage

Signs

The Ring

Psycho

The Omen(original)

Seven

Stir of Echos

Children of the Corn

Serpent and the Rainbow

Dead Zone

Manhunter (original)



That's all I can think of for now, I'm sure a few more will pop into my head once I have submitted this.

I think it is great that you ask the masses what things entertain us!



Good Luck and I am looking forward to seeing what comes of this!? I love a good thriller!

Answer 48

I just want to mention first as a person who makes a special effort to watch your films at the cinema regardless of if I've seen a trailer I think it's cool you are asking this question.



Now for my answer. When watching a film I look for one you actually care about the characters from the beginning. There are lots of films made everyday and far too many of them turn out to be b rate films because you don't care about the character at all.



We look for a story that’s sound. Plot holes are a no no unless it’s done so well that no one cares. I know cgi and special effects are the way things are done now, and they have some amazing results, it doesn’t mean they have to become the movie unless for some reason it’s crucial to the plot.



We also look for the suspense of not knowing who or what it is that is causing all the tension in the movie. You have to be super clever with this point, (not that you aren't, just mean writers, directors and actors in general) as the movie world is a much bigger and more common place than people think nowadays and I know too many of my Blockbuster customers who know the ending before watching the full opening credits as too often its obvious. We want to be entertained till the end of the film, if we figure it out to early then we switch off.



We love twists, even if it’s a bad film, or badly put together I will always recommend films with a great twist at the end to my customers. Why because for once you second guess who or what the suspense is caused by. You want people talking about that twist for years to come.



You feel cheated if the adversary doesn’t seem to have nearly won, it’s true we don’t want them to win, but we like the idea that they are a great opponent for the main character. Every now and then dependant on the plot though the bad guy should win, it makes it more like realistic, although we feel cheated if the champion of the movie doesn’t win, we as a group understand why, and see that it was simply meant to be that way, we don’t like it, but for that story to be told we had to bend our own cheated rule.



The film should have learnt from film history, look at Jeepers Creepers, good till you get to the middle then somehow it's turned into Buffy. Or the Others, a film that is good, all suspense but it's all implied with a twist you don't really see coming. Provided film makers can learn from past flops and successes, ask the right questions and not make the same film over and over again (not talking sequels here) then anybody could make a good suspense thriller.



I'm not a movie writer or anything but I work for Blockbusters in the UK and have a pretty good idea of what people like to see in their films from recommending them all the time. Please bring out a really good suspense thriller because I am sick to death of saying there is nothing out there right now that will scare you or keep you on the edge of your seat. I don’t care if it means that all my discs get worn out from overuse, we’ll find more.





I hope that helps, and thanks for such a great question. It's one of those questions I could talk for hours on. So I'll stop here honest.

Answer 49

Irony is great!!! Smart suspense, you don't see it coming! The Sixth Sense or the suspense thriller that Nicole Kidman acted in, she had committed suicide and had taken the lives of her children and was haunting an English manor. Both movies were done from the perspective of the ghost/entity with very sensitive subject matter. Most ages could relate to the subject matter at some level. People were talking about these movies for a long time.

Answer 50

The essential part for me would be having plausible but unforseen twists. Things that wouldn't happen just don't fascinate me.



Letting the thing be as real as possible (like people do in nightmares: most people's nightmares are just nature-made thrillers!)



It's all in the foreplay. A good prequel to violence or action needs to have then anguish, sadness, happiness, done right and it's nice to have those bittersweet twists or where the viewer sees an injustice which the goodies don't, and lucky baddies who don't know they're being hunted and then turn into animals once cornered.



Humour too can contribute lots to a thriller situation. There haven't really been many funny baddies, or baddies you agree with but don't really want to... good question.

Answer 51

Non-formulaic storylines that reach the viewer on different levels whatever their tastes and whatever they want to get out of the film. I suppose there is a certain level of satisfaction from forecasting all the twists and turns in the plot as well, although it's nice when you have to watch a film twice or more times to catch all of the details.



On the action front, I feel that there is an over reliance on CGI effects etc. Some of the best action thrillers I have seen have involved old fashion stunts, these seem to be more in vogue again now.



Rawness, is what makes me watch a film again and again.

Answer 52

Thank you for a good question:



I think its important that there be a twist in the movie at least 3/4 of the way through; that just blows away any preconceptions you had established (e.g. Ah, he's dead - so he cant be the killer; ok now i'm confused). Maybe drawing in somebody from the sub-plot / secondary story line to actually be the killer (or) reason for the killing.



Secondly it's important not to pre-load the plot with OBVIOUS CHARACTERS (i.e. Many with evil eyes and big knife turns out to be the killer - well duh!!).



Thirdly, it is criticle that we actually ive a hoot who was killed/going to be killed. Show background, establish a history.



Finnaly ..... PLEASE OH PLEASE dont do the whole, 1hour of build-up, 20 mins of filling in and 10mins of actual story/action. Start the action right from the first sceen and build on it every step of the way till we cant leave our seat even for a toilet break.



And for god sake dont run out of ideas right at the end; a movie with a daft/quick pointless ending is like eating a beautiful fresh apple and realising on the last bite it's full of worms.



Build to an open pinacle ending that blows us away, but also leaves us asking for more. This also sets the tone for the second movie in the series.







J.









.

Answer 53

As one of the other posters pointed out, you must be able to identify with the key characters. (The choosing of actors for the key roles and supporting roles is paramount as well.)



The most rewarding movie watching experiences are watching those movies that continually have you wondering what's going to happen next and that surprise you at the end. Not a "where did that come form" surprise, but something a bit more subtle.



Some ingredients for a suspense thriller;

Characters to identify with (good & bad)"Fast" or moving camera angles

Close-ups of fight moves

An interesting and classy story

International intrigue



What makes you see amovie again?

You can't get enough of watching your favorite actor in a role that fits him/her like a glove.

The fact that you feel the turmoil that the main character has to go through and you want to watch him rise up from the ashes again.



That's just a quick answer, hope it helps.

Answer 54

hi jerry, i really admire your work and especially CSI...

ANYWAY, there are a lot of keys that help in making a good thriller depending on the story itself. it may be:

1. the simple suspense when the bad guy reveals him/herself at the beginning and the agonising story goes all the way till the end and when u think that the 'hero' is no way going to survive. like for example in that movie(sorry i forgot the name) when a writer has an accident and an old lady helps him then turns put she is bad and hit him and soo on .....

2. there have been a lot of 'creature movie' like alien and ET and others but what really make others succeed is the fact that they didnt consume that creature alot in the mvie or else it gets boring and u you feel scared anymore from the creature.. bad example is alien, when sometimes even if u saw the creature only once or twce will be enough to get you off your seat like the village of signs

3. the most common answers then would be music like in movie psycho and the twist with unpredictable ending like the sixth sense or the others

what makes us go watch movie back is to see maybe if we might be scared again or follow the lead with the director or try to c if we were as clever as hero....

my favourite example of suspense is the hostage for mel gibson.. i mean the whole movie kept me thinking if the kids will get out of it...

by the way we got bored of movies about end of world or catastrophy well except ofcourse except armagaddon...

merry xmas to you jerry

Answer 55

You actually don't have to ask the question. All your shows are

great. I watch all of them, never been disappointed.

It's the cleverness behind the plots and as in the CSI shows, how they get solved.

To have me on the edge of the seat it has to involve children, not necessarily a thriller. If you remember the movie "Without a trace"

with Kate Nelligan and Judd Hirsh, that one had me on the edge.

What I like are thrillers, that have a surprise ending, like "the sixth sense" or even though some movies like "Secret Window and "Hide and seek" didn't get a great reception by the critics, I liked them because of the ending.

Keep up the excellent work!

Answer 56

Hi Jerry! Welcome to our little community. I remember the songs from my teen years more profoundly than those from earlier years or later on. I think it is because they seemed to relate to me at a time when I needed to be related to most. They drew me in spiritual, intellectually and emotionally. I think that, in a way, a film is a kind of song and the film's genre is not as important as the establishment of empathy. And Is that not the point of all art? To relate one human beings understanding/feelings to others? The best suspense emanating from the USA today is from programs like The Sopranos, Deadwood and Prison Break. Everything is right. The music, the dialogue, the colour, the actors, The TALE. Real caring has gone into these dramas from all concerned. They are inspirational, despite the immensely bleak reality and brutallity that they carry with them. Tony Soprano is Everyman, Swearingen is how men are when they pass 40, and Michael is a sane man in a society of hazzardous mentallities.

However, I have to be honest, the only things that I go back and see again and again are comedies. How can suspense be "supsense" when you know what is going to happen next? That's a paradox. I think what gives any art longevity is the ability to thrill because of the genius of it's construction. Even when we know what is coming, it is still delightful, every time - because it is origional, powerful, unique and true.

Answer 57

I find that films with twists in are the most powerful, coming from an angle that you would never guess the story could take. Many of the great movies have this concept in:

Usual Suspects,

Seven,

Donnie Darko,

Shawshank Redemption,

Fight Club,

6th Sense.



If you can keep the viewer guessing as to where the story will go and then blow their mind by taking in somewhere unexpected but realistic it can make a good film into a all time classic in one scene - Usual Suspects did this in one of the best twists a movie ever had, when Kevin Spacie walks out of the police station and starts to walk normally is a moment noone i have spoke to could guess but takes an interesting film and makes its one of the best films ever made

Answer 58

My favourite film was The 6th Sense.



It was the unexpected, and sudden events that gave it the edge for me.



When the boy is in the hall at night, and you see two boys come out of the room talking about using their dads gun. They turn down the hall and the one lads head is blown off at the back. Totally unexpected, a little gruesome and it hits you emotionally because we know it happens and that kids are just that naive.



The other scene is when he goes into the front room, a woman is standing with her back to him. The boy thinks it's his mum but when she turns around, it's another woman's face and it's battered. That is unexpected and again a little bit gruesome, but not over-the-top.



For me, films that try to hard with the suspense/thrill aspect are 'Hostel' and 'Saw'. There is nothing to relate to on a believable level. There is also such an over-stated blood-lust it's just off-putting.



The subtle hints and unsuspecting build-up to a believable, unexpected yet tiny bit gruesome event are what gives a film the edge.



I get tired of the usual dark room scene, where someone is walking around each corner, breathing heavily, and you know someone is in the house / room, waiting to slice them up. That's just really old and boring.



Ideas that verge on the normal, but just are not quite normal, that sort of gross you out whilst making you jump, that lull you into a comfortable scene before surprising you with an uncomfortable concept.



I only use the 6th Sense as an example, everything else that producer has made is a bit rubbish.

Answer 59

My opinion is this. I was talking with a bunch of guys at work and the consensus was, that action movies, that "move along" with a half-decent story line, fit the bill. The acting was a plus too. People tend to like movies about end of the age type, Biblical prophetic movies ! The times we live in with all the talk about fished-out oceans, global warming, countries like Iran / North Korea getting nukes. Although these things may or may not come to light, people like to look into their futures. Try producing an action movie about Demon exorcism based on "candidates" who are first evaluated by a Psychiatrist, M.D. then a priest. If the "candidate" is deemed "possessed", he or she is pre-studied by a scientists then, an exorcism is performed with the family. Another suggestion, is E.T. experiences where, people are taken into the company of an alien, given a physical and specimens are taken. These same people are continually being monitored during their daily lives and are frequently being taken up and re-evaluated on each occurrence. The idea or plot is that these aliens "on good authority", are sent to collect semen and the seeds of plants and animals to be stored after the earth is destroyed. Hope you glean some ideas from all of this - cheers !!!

Answer 60

The action, the setting and most of all the acting. I know "Aliens" is more science fiction than suspense, but I really like when Ripley kicks some alien @ss. Suspense is when the most unlikely, unsuspected and unexpected character ends up being the bad one. When all through the film you are led to believe this person is set to save the day, but turns out to be rotten to the core.

Or when the good guy goes to hell and back to ensure humanity is safe from all evil doers. Sounds corny, doesn't it? Well we need a bit of good, once in a while, if only to allow us to escape from reality for a few hours. Well, that's it. Have a good day. Cheers!

Answer 61

In my opinion I feel that truth is always scarier than fiction. Growing up I loved to read The Amityville Horror. Finally my mom renter the movie for me and I was scared to death. It didn't help that the pig creature and I had the same name. That pig face, quickly flashing in the upper window still to this day gives me the creeps. The top three movies that I think are the scariest (and they are more than 25 years old) would have to be

1. The Changeling with George C. Scott

(the bouncing ball, the bathtub scene and the wheelchair, I got chills just thinking about it)

2. The Exorcist

(the scene when she crawls down the stairs headfirst and upside down, totally surprised me)

3. The Amityville Horror with James Brolin

These are some of those horror movies that can be scary without being bloody and gory. They simply rely on atmosphere and frightening, but subtle images to deliver its chills. Oh yeah, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre for example, you thought that the grandfather was dead, then it was feeding time. That was not expected. It grabbed my attention. It freaked me out.

Today, movies have turned to special effects, blood, guts, gore, fake, fake and more fake. We need to be able to use our imagination more often not be over stimulated by effects. Our brains need a work out.

Answer 62

I guess this almost mirrors what happens in some criminal cases anyway where the murderer or plotter has been in contact with the press during investigations to feed their own warped sense of self-importance, though they are not suspected by the people.

I think people return to movies because they want to see what they missed the first time and see the clues again. If they enjoy the rollercoaster of the thriller they will go back again and again.

Answer 63

First I acknowledge you as an expert craftsperson in your field. I guess then that YOU have the key. To me when you peel away the spectacular scenery, turn down the mood music and even as you fade to black, the impact of the story / message is still physically and emotionally reacting on you, to the point that regardless of your response, be it identifying with or being revolted by the events portrayed, you have some connection with the story.

Knowing the punchline, does not decrease your thirst for this feeling and so you will be prepared to go back and go through the experience again...

Answer 64

The essentials have to be character involvement and the way the situation builds. In Silence Of The Lambs, the suspense is built by what might happen, as much as what does, based on the known factors in the characters.



I found myself trying to invent a villian in one of my books. Having decided to try to come up with an ending which was almost impossible to pick, I wound up with a completely unfathomable guy who even I thought was a truly nasty piece of work by the time I'd finished creating him. That was scary, because he was in the process of tearing down everyone he was associated with. The suspense element was how he was going to do it.



It helped the storyline a lot and set up a lot of scenes, because this guy had had so many interactions with everything else in the book.

Answer 65

Character first, suspense later. Best thriller I've seen in years for A History of Violence. It was all about establishing character and making the audience empathise with them. Why don't you get Cronenberg to do your next film and not Tony Scott. He'll keep the camera still for more than 10 seconds and let the audience see the film instead of whizzing off in some flashy sequence which only detracts from the story.

Answer 66

Not seeing the killer that often. Makes it all the more interesting and mysterious. Also, not really seeing how a person is attacked but only that the person is attacked and seeing the messed up result afterwards. Of course the sudden unexpected attacks make it extra freaky. It has to be kind of weird and messed up and maybe a bit hard to understand for me to go and see it again because if the only thing I wanted to see again were the thrills then it wasn't that amazing because thrills become less effective after the first time. It'd have to be kind of hard to understand.

Answer 67

First, congrats on all of your success.



And for your question - an edge of your seat suspence thriller?

I have always loved the old black and whites - film noir's - "When a stranger calls" or "Whatever happened to Baby Jane" for example. These films didn't use extreme violence to get your attention - they suggested and implied it.

I like a film that makes you have to think in 3 diminsions not 2. Like "Skeleton Key" or even "Deja Vu".

I like a film that does allow you to be a participant and try to guess the end but wind up with a whole new conclusion (the "I didn't see that one one coming").

I like films that use different cultures to tell the story and you learn something in the end.

Answer 68

A plot that is not heavily signposted or predictable, gets you in the action straight away, and is believable. Pretty glamorous people in unlikely perilous situations do not work as well for me as either an intriguing situation the hero is in (Momento), or realistic situations with a twist (One Hour Photo).

The ones I go back to are the classic noir - The Maltese Falcon and The Big Sleep. The lighting, the acting, sooo atmospheric in the way many good modern films do not seem able to copy.

Answer 69

Howdy Jerry,



I just saw the new James Bond film. Whatever they did in the first 30 minutes of that film, I was on the edge of my seat, eyes wide open and mouth gaping. It was fantastic, and gritty and awesome but not completely unrealistic. It was moving moving but not repetitive. And you instantly liked the main character. I think that's half the battle there, a likeable, but slightly unusual main character.



I'd go back and see that again in a flash, not just because of the great storyline so much as that it felt more like art than just a plain old movie. AND, I'm not a huge fan of the previous Bond flicks. That should say something there.

Answer 70

Jerry, In my view what's needed is a sense of prolonged, unrewarded, expectation. Then you cheat the viewer and deliver the unexpected. As an example a vulnerable person is in a room with a door in the background as they move around. The door will either be open, or have a window in it, and the viewer will be led to believe the threat will make itself known at the door. Then you have a head-shot, door in the background, out of focus, and use music to build the tension, then - wham - suddenly the 'threat' appears from the top of the frame, overhead.

Answer 71

Hi,Jerry,

The hero isn't a hero- the sort of guy that gets a panic attack watching traffic lights change.

He comes home to find his house trashed and his wife missing.

The neighbour saw a mysterious black sedan squeal down the street,driven by a Rayban wearing sumo wrestler. And the pope

in the passenger seat.

A local librarian friend finds a bus ticket in the back of Old Moores' Almanac,with a 9 digit number that happens to be our heros' telephone number.

Librarian phones hero,who is busy ironing clothes,to break the news. Hero so shocked that he irons his watch,which droops over edge of ironing board. He notices that it looks like the work of Salvador Dali- could this be a message?

After several car chases,to a John Williams' score, he manages to break through the Police road block,financed by a local film company. Stopping only for the obligatory helicopter to finally catch up, our hero heads out over the golden gate bridge driving against oncoming traffic who all are bloody amazing drivers,and nobody gets hurt. However, since it would look spectacular, he rolls the car in a ball of flame,and walks away in slow motion.

His wife,plus their two adopted children,run to meet him,lit by the flashing lights on the cavalcade of emergency vehicles.The national guard commander lets them through the barricades with the line 'Let them go- can't you see they're in love?'

Hero smiles.

Everyone hugs.

Camera pans back through the wreckage to a distance of five miles,to the strains of an Aerosmith 'B' side.



I think that's my ideal movie.

Answer 72

The best films are the ones where you think you have an idea of what is going to happen at the end and then BANG a fantastic twist! One of the best films ever has got to be The Usual Suspects - I have watched it many many times just so that knowing the ending I can look at the film see exactly how the end fits in with the rest of the film. Its a masterpiece!

Answer 73

The Unknown. Take this however you want. People are scared of what they don't know. This could be the dark, unexplained events, weird people etc.



If you keep as much of a film hidden for as long as possible then the suspense will be heightened.



Then you just have to make sure that when you reveal what is unknown that is adaequately scary, otherwise it becomes an anti-climax and makes the whole film seem pointless.

Answer 74

A killer lurks, masked behind the facade of a Yahoo user... draws the hapless producer in with a spec script guaranteed to slay 'em at the box office.. a Psycho for the 21st Century.. a clever ruse the killer knows no producer can resist ... intrigued, the producer reads on, hoping to snatch some ideas for a new script unaware he is already entangled in the killer's web ... a simple Yahoo Answers post with a twist.. a twist like a hook in the producer's mind.. with each word the producer sinks the hook deeper.. his pulse quickens.. could this poster really be leading him to that elusive holy grail -- the next cinematic box-office slaughter... unaware as his pulse quickens that each word he reads is drawing him in tighter right into the killer's net.. too late he realizes there is something wrong here (read my spec script).. there are messages flashing through his mind (best spec script ever).. he is powerless now (read my script or the cute little kitty doesn't get it's catnip toy tonight) caught like a fish... (i really mean it, the kitty

won't get a belly rub either).. too late.. the killer's ruse has him hooked.. (no fish flavor meow mix either) ... he sees horrors closing in all around him (no catnip toy, no belly rub, no meow mix) as the cleverly played game draws to the inevitable end (buy my spec script now).. he picks up the phone.. (poor kitty) (box office $100million opening weekend) .. oh, the horror (poor little kitty) ... weeping, begging "please, for pity's sake, let me see the damn script and give the kitty it's catnip" ...the "killer" chuckles... gloats...

Answer 75

Get toghether with Lee Child and make a movie from one of his books !! I like spy action thrillers, and I also like to see the books I read Mortalised. Idealy the film has to consider a certian timespan so for a long novel i suppose when u lose the descrptive ellements for surroundings etc you can fit it into 2 hours. To me a two hour film is about right with a GOOD endinging if there's questions to be answered at the end then so be it, but make another film then quick :)

Answer 76

A movie has got to captivate you...right from the beginning has to start off with a punch...something heart stopping that sets the whole story up...leaving you with anticipation for what might possibly come next as you munch away on popcorn breathtakingly waiting what might follow next.



It's always great to have several different things happening, and flipping from one scene to another, and then later having them tie in together.



I love shows that start off all over the place and then you have to try to see how it's all goign to come together.



Scenery has a lot to do with it...lighting...sound...music or effects--cinematography, whether it's day or night has an impact too. So all of those little psychological things.



And don't forget a GREAT cast. They don't have to be famous, although I suppose you need a few knowns in there...but they have to be good and convincing in thier roles...and a little humour in the form of one of the characters is always an ice breaker and a plus even in a thriller.



But please...no vampires or demons or devils...that's all wasted on me...won't spend a dime to watch garbage like that.



I must agree with my Canuck buddy above there that movies like Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, Pirates, etc...all work for me...non stop action and roller coaster ride is a perfect way to describe it! :~)

Answer 77

I like it when there are lots of twists and turns. So that you can't figure out how the movie is going to end. I find that I "check out" once I have figured out how it will end. The movies that keep me guessing are also the movies that I will watch again and again to see what I missed, what clues. I also have a pet peeve of thrillers that have a known actor that is in the fringes, you just know that he is somehow involved, why would you use a known actor in a bit part.

Answer 78

My opinion is this, I kinda like a touch Supernatural, ( moving objects, ) with a re-kindling of an ole friendship, of which was based on trust, gradually turn onto a big questionable is he or isnt he. Breifly showing history of cast and how they all met and got on, or not got on, having one person who has developed from a little boy sho would never open his mouth at school, looked kind of dorky into a hunky ever so popular devil may care lad.





1 Exorcist and the High School Digs.

2 Family torn apart for jealous reason, and one member returns tracks down Evil Sister and keeps her holstage in an underground shed, makeshift breathing apperatus,

Answer 79

Now Jerry, Music is the golden key. You theme your story around the music. A classic, Phantom of the Opera the music and movie is dark, mystical and magical, all three qualities that many want, but are afraid of. When you are afraid of something the theory goes is to confront your fears, so this will get them to watch the movie over and over again until they are not fearful but feel part of the movie

Answer 80

When the killer is subtle and clever, and you don't realise who it is until the very end. The thriller should also avoid common clichés (a few are listed above by other people). And it's just great when you know that there is something behind the camera that you (and the characters) can't see, and when something bad happens, the camera moves, or cuts, so that you do not see exactly what is happening - you are scared by what your imagination comes up with.

Answer 81

I love the bait-and-switch, where you're made to think that the 'bad guy' is one person, but it's really someone else, and it's cleverly done, like an Agatha Christie novel. If it's smart and funny at times, like having a witty/sassy character, and not too much gore I will a) go to see it in the first place and b) probably see it again, buy it, or rent it.



It needs to be smart and have meaning, basically, but not the kind of obvious meaning that hits you over the head, but something that makes me think.

Answer 82

Most of all An original idea.



Also hit my inner spirit. Make me care. Go to areas I want to be true, give me a spirtituality I don't have. Create your own religion. Only the shadow knows





Give me the girl I can't live without. The one with many dimensions that is imposible to get. Make me want her like nothing else. Make her witty. Make her unpredictable. Make her sly. Give her a dark past but a sincere heart. Have the world lash out.



Give me a puzzle. Dazzle my mind.



Give me the flawed hero. Trent's last case, batman, Monk (TV show), ...



Bring mystery of the past, present or future, wierd religion but don't make it stupid or dumb it down. Don't do the star wars thing and make everybody my father or droid.



DaVinci Code had merits for example. My problem with it was it was same book he wrote 4 times before. Guy deserved one best seller but he got 5. Still, he had the woman down pat, he had a fascination with the past his own mythlogy with a grain of truth. He screwed it up a bit with some dumbness but had enough twists to make it interesting.



Marvel comics in the 1960s like DareDevil and Spiderman had surprisingly good use of suspense.



I can watch batman the animated series again and again.



Give me Spirited Away. The strange place where I find myself by the Japanese master Miyazaki.



Take me somewhere interesting and don't do something that was down before. Don't remake the master pieces of yesterday. MAKE ME SOMETHING NEW.



(Rare exceptions exist like super heroes etc)

Answer 83

I would say twists always work well. Just when the movie seems to be heading in one direction, a twist can completely throw everything off, which keeps you glued to your screen.



Also, if you are given more insight into the characters' personas, you tend to care more what happens to them and it is much more tense to watch.



Movies that leave you wondering and encourage you to question you own beliefs. Movies that scratch deeper than just the surface and have a much more profound meaning than it might appear at first glance. These are the kinds of movies that will always make me want to go back and see it again.



HTH : )

Answer 84

Reveal a little bit of the mind and its inner workings of the killer let the audience glimpse at what the villian is focusing on. (Show the preditor on the prowl for prey) Understanding or revealing an obsession and or perversion is creepy but giving the killer brains as well makes them more terrifying and harder for the police to catch. As you cannot predict what they will do or whom they will target next as they may out think you.



A villan is more terrifying if they are not killed or captured in the end. (Hanibal Lecter - Hello Clarise,...I've got to go now I'm going to have an old friend for dinner. )



Johnny Depp's Character in "The Secret Garden"

Answer 85

Not giving too much away (always keep something in reserve and have a couple of red herrings!)and avoiding cliches and too many coincidences is the key to a good thriller.There aren't that many around now because the same things been done so many times.I hate watching something and guessing in the first ten minutes what is going to happen.

I have to admit I thought sixth sense was one of the best films for years because I missed the clues and thought wow at the end!Another great one was Seven as who could guess that ending ?

Answer 86

Unpredictability. There are some movies that claim to be a thriller but the viewing audience knows what's coming next. A true thriller/suspense will keep you guessing about what comes next.



I love your movies and was thrilled when you started doing T.V. It's good to see there are still creative people in this world.

Answer 87

Zodiac Insomnia Shutter Island Gone, Baby, Gone The Strangers Winters Bone I Saw the Devil Red, White, & Blue Orphan

Answer 88

A plot which unfolds steadily over the entire film ,without too many subplots which make it too complicated to follow. And no definate answers to who did what till the end of the film - keep them guessing. And just for once how about a film where the bad guy walks away the winner after the good guy has used all means at his disposal and still cant stop him - more realistic.

Answer 89

Dont do things that are obvious and cliche like someone already said. Also having a good twist near the end is good - maybe giving hints during the movie but not giving anything away. Also the camera work and music - those two things can have a big effect

Answer 90

A good twist at the end of the story will make me watch something over and over again. But the storyline first needs to have absorbed all of my attention from start to finish - the minute I lose interest a suspense thriller loses all of its impact.

Answer 91

For me, the suspense thriller has to have believability to it. It has to have characters that you can relate to. It has to have shots that add to the suspense, naturally. What makes a great movie to me is when I go to the theatre, and for the length of the movie, I forget I am in a theatre watching it. If I find myself looking around the theatre, I know the movie isn't a good one for me, and odds are I won't be going to see it again for a second time.

Answer 92

The movie shouldn't be predictable at all and should include some jumpy scenes frequently, but not rapidly! It should tease and play with your mind and that's the film everybody will automatically get into! And that particular movie should be compared to the movies I have mentioned above. And let's not forget the title of the movie! The title of the movie should actually be relevant to the movie and hey....... If you got a good movie! You have also got a good title! Like....... Seven!

Answer 93

For me the music plays a big part, it really helps to build up the suspense in a movie. A plot where you can relate to the way the character is feeling, and have sympathy and feel empathy for the characters that is what makes me want to see a movie again and again.

Answer 94

A good example is David lynches Mulholland Drive i saw this at the cinema and at the end i couldn't believe what i just saw. if there is one word that describes David lynch films and that is Powerful and this is what this film was. Camera, sound, music, i saw this a further 10 times and even now i am still need answers. David Lynch is the master of Suspense and Thriller.

Answer 95

On the edge of the seat non stop action. Just when you thought it was time to take a breather, the action starts again, in essence, a roller coaster ride. Then throw a completely unexpected surprise into the mix. Movies like Die Hard always had this type of action...and I've seen them again and again. The recent Pirates of the Caribbean, Dead Man's Chest, has a great second half. It was non-stop and then bam...a nice surprise ending.

Answer 96

Hi Jerry. My belated condolences about Don Simpson. Look again to the movie the two of you made together, The Rock. Sean Connery, Nicholas Cage, and Ed Harris. Excellent cast. The story was nail-biting. Amazing cinematography. The music helps a great deal. Insightful director. It also helps when you give folk a chance to catch their breath, and then speed things up again. Keep up the brilliant work. PS: I have some of your works on DVD.

Answer 97

The best cinema thrillers are when you are left to infer something - something you can't see, something you don't know. The other possiblility is when you are miss directed - my favourite thriller is No Way Out with Gene Hackman and Kevin Kostner - miss direction and stuff you don't know build the tension then a vicious twist.

In a book I guess it's the stuff you are not told and infer - wrongly normally - that gets you that 'knicker gripping' tension.

Answer 98

Not knowing who the bad guy really is. The kind of film that you see with your mates and your all screaming a different name and then at the end you all go...... NO WAY!! except for some little smart asss in the corner who says, told you so!!!



That makes you want to see it again to really "get" how the plot was constructed!



So then, it needs to have a tight plot, no holes, so you can just believe in it for a little longer.



And it should be plot, not action, driven, with really good FLAWED characters!



Why are you thinking of making one?

Answer 99

Using current and relevant issues that have the popular opinion split on (science/medicine/politics/religion/life/death/society) and applying an age old question to it. Throw in some special effects, tech lingo, pretty people, and voila... you have another blockbuster. Make it mentally challenging, that seems to work better than just explosions.



Look at the TV shows with high ratings, lots of them deal with ripped from the headlines type of issues.

Answer 100

I enjoyed watching the old film called Phycho. The music and the sudden entrance of the killer was so interesting. I have watched this film more than once.



In suspense thriller the music make it so worse that you jump out of the seat. I am good in screaming and make others jump out of their seats too.

Answer 101

Leave something to the imagination.

I don't need to see every bit of gore, every single blow.

I think it's OK to know who the bad guy is. It is more suspenseful to know that and wonder where he (or she) is going to strike next. That's what keeps me on the edge of my seat.

A good example, albeit a bit old, is "To Live and Die in L.A."

Having the hero fail the first time or two keeps the story suspenseful, as well. I find myself wondering, "Well, is he really going to pull this off, or is this going to be a really sad, depressing ending?"

And you don't have to tie up every single loose end. I don't always need to know that the guy got the girl, or that he gets to keep his job, etc.

Answer 102

Have the twist be a real twist, i.e. not signposted from a million miles away. Don't get me wrong I love thriller movies and scary ones, but just for once couldn't directors think outside the box and have Neve Campbell being the murderer or something.

Answer 103

I think The Sixth Sense had it all, the bit about not knowing what will happen, almost being confused until the end of the film then BAM you get it. This always makes you want to see it again so you can watch it from the perspective of knowing what is going to happen, The Matrix had this too :)

Answer 104

I think the best think it thrillers like that is when during thw hole movie you think that you already know everything and it is going the way it is suppose to, everybody who needs to be killed is killed and then in the end.. BAM!!! evrything is twisted around and you realise that whatever your thoughts were, they were wrong and now you have to come back to the movie and watch it again to understand more and more. Mostly when there is a lot of people psycology in a killer then it is very interesting.

Answer 105

Hi Jerry!



Something that always keeps me on the edge of my seat is when you KNOW something is going to happen, whilst the protaganist doesnt.

Something that you are meant to work out before they do, and you know the outcome is going to be dramatic and you are just waiting...waiting....waiting for it to happen!

What makes me want to see it again and again?

An ending where all loose ends are satisfied, but it takes a few watches to work it out. Pulp Fiction, or Syriana are good examples.

Answer 106

Mood, lighting, camera angles, dialogue, quality acting, imaginative direction and a good script all go together to make a great movie. Eg. 'Don't look Now' & 'Dark Water' If any one ingredient is mediocre then the whole thing can be ruined. But then if all of them are bad it can make for a great film, Ed Wood proved that with, 'Plan 9 from Outer Space' to name just one.



What makes me go back and watch it again, the thrill, that's what.

Answer 107

The sting in the tail! Something the audience don't see coming - the person we thought was dead but isn't ("Wild Things", "Valentine's Game"), the hero who turns out to be a villain ("Body Heat"), something like that : the big reversal, the twist, the unpredictable zap at the end that leaves us slack-jawed for not having seen it coming.



What makes me go and see a film over and over again - that's a little more ephemeral. If I like a film enough to see it over and over again I'll go and see it over and over again, and if I knew exactly what makes people like one movie but dislike another, I'd be a squillionaire film producer, too.

Answer 108

Got to say that for me the key is something that ultimately you never see coming. The reveal of key individual. The best example of which I still have to say in The Usual Suspects. Can't beat the Kevin Spacey piece at the end of the film with the shot of his feet going from limp to fast paced walk. CLASSIC.

Answer 109

A spellbinding, psychological story with a surprise knockout twist at the end is the key to a suspense thriller. Tension, great acting, gross realism, a chilling tale and a creepy musical score also help.

Answer 110

In my opinion,a great suspense must hit every emotional nerve in your body....sadness,anger,fear,love,inspiration...these type of feelings must come from a great suspense. The tiniest subtleties that arouse my senses in a movie keeping me guessing- that is what i look for...I do not need the huge blockbuster over the top images. I need a movie with fine acting,a great dynamic plot...and an ever surprising ending...good or bad. Usually a great suspense should have some big names...however some smaller movie companies have produced some realistic,lower budget really good suspense movies.

Answer 111

Seven was a real mind teaser, not very predictable (At the end, who would've expected the lunatic to ask a delivery man to deliver Gwen's baby in a box? Although Morgan Freeman was the one to open the box, but from his reactions it wasn't so obvious was it?) You see now......... Cast does make an impact on a movie!

Answer 112

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Answer 113

Sparing use of effects like annoying screams, shed loads of blood and guts.

Give the audience little clues that get them thinking they may know who the culprit is and exactly what will happen, but with bits thrown in here and there to make them doubt their convictions.

A good thriller makes you use your brain the whole time, and the killer is never who everyone thinks it might be.

Answer 114

If the characters are from the outset of the film ones that you find compelling and make you care what happens to them, this for me is what makes a suspense movie. You spend much of the film rooting for the hero/heroine, hoping they survive intact whatever is thrown at them. If you don't care that much what happens to them you might as well not bother watching to the end of the film.

Answer 115

Strong Characters for drawing you in

Strong Visual HOOKS

A thriller needs suspense, but characters and visual hooks are good for repeated viewings.

Star actors/actresses to create the strong characters.

Tempo: leads up to almost climax, then drops; repeat.

Watch Hitchcock. Take notes.

Answer 116

a good story line that doesn't call for too much suspension of disbelief, and a great soundtrack which functions to enhance the mood of the movie rather than sales of the soundtrack. you also need actors who are better at their jobs than their publicists are at theirs'.

i think American movie makers are too predictable these days, though; there always seems to be a resolution to every problem, everyone is so damned pretty that it doesn't really resonate, and there is always a predictable ending.

getting back to storytelling might be a good thing.

Answer 117

When you are waiting for that moment for one person to turn round, or walk into the room and catch sight of the other person!



It doesn't happen of course, but 'Night of the Hunter' is an example when the children were hiding out in the barn, and I was willing the boy to get his head down when Robert Mitchum was going past on the horse, because if he had turned round, he would have spotted him!

Answer 118

The TV series 24 has gripped me so badly, I couldn't watch it on TV because it just never made sense (too long between episodes). When I bought the box set out of curiousity I thoroughly enjoyed it. I've not found anything as gripping since watching Season 5. MI3 was a real let down (I watched that the weekend after finishing Season 5).



I dunno what it is about it, but they've done something right...

Answer 119

Personally I like films and tv movies (like 24) that twist and twist like an alligator with its prey to finally spit you out 2 hours later and it turns out to be some bloke who is completely unexpected. I guess this almost mirrors what happens in some criminal cases anyway where the murderer or plotter has been in contact with the press during investigations to feed their own warped sense of self-importance, though they are not suspected by the people.

Answer 120

It has to be the twist at the end that really grips people, well definately me and the music that builds up to the gripping events that lead throughout the movie because i just think thats gets your heart racing.

One movie i really enjoyed saw 3 (the twist at the end), not so much thriller but definately horror.....i wasn't on the end of my seat.....i'd fallen off that at landed on my backside.....but not something i'd necessarily watch again due to it being so gross.

Answer 121

I like unpredictable films, especially when the bad guy wins. Arlington Road is a great example of this.



A great twist is probably the most obvious answer but it has to be a real jaw dropper and not just thrown in for the sake of it.

Answer 122

In my humble opinion... SAW and Se7en was a very good "Edge of your seat suspence thriller". You never knew what was coming next and the gore was excellent and the ending was just as brilliant. They are my 2 top films of all time. Top them and you're onto a winner. Impossible i think though.

Answer 123

Am into intense dialog. And a plot with a twist, something that I get to guess wrong always makes me watch a movie again.

I better rush, the kettle is boiling. Hope nothings lurking behind the kitchen door.

Answer 124

I don't go in for the "Style over Substance" movies. I think you need a fantastic script, that's where the money needs to be spent. The actors need to be superb, but they don't have to be well known (or OVERLY known!). Special effects in moderation, but must be believable, (I know sometimes there is the case of suspended disbelief, but try not to go overboard on that one), lots of plot twists, psychological games to confuse, and a good musical score, of course!





One of the BEST movies ever made: The Shining!

Answer 125

Misdirection, duplicity, deceit, and actors that can pull it off. Like DeNiro in Cape Fear, scary MFKR. The infliction of pain that you can identify with, like the pencil in the ankle in Evil Dead, slicing of the achilles heel in Hostel, actually most the torture scenes in Hostel, just runs a chill up your spine, and makes you say fuuuuu*k! I don't usually go back to see it again and again, I can wait until it comes out on video, it would have to be pretty good to go back and see it in the theatre more than once.

Answer 126

lately you can tell straight away who the hero/villain is and who will live or die, i would like if the hero turned out to be some one you don't immediately think of .not the handsome star , maybe some unknown actor. i also think the big stars have too much power and hog the screen too much , also the scripts could be better, also doesn't have to be happy ending all the time, the usua\l suspects/session nine /identity/the sixth sense/fargo all watch again and again

Answer 127

First of all I want to say THANK YOU for Pirates of the Caribbean 1-3!!!



Okay, back to your question, I think the key is creative camera angles, and surprises. Stay away from predictability (if it seems obvious that the killer would be in the closet, have him come through the window). You have to shock the audience and have them say, "Oh I didn't expect that!" or "Who knew he was hiding under the bed?".

Answer 128

Something unexpected. You need to make the bad guy the last person anyone would suspect. Music also plays a dramatic role in the nail biting suspense.

Answer 129

False leads, suspicion, not knowing what is what until right at the very end. take scary movie 1 for example. (since i'm not sure which movie they ripped this off of) they actually had 2 killers, the main killer and the copy-cat. that way when one got caught, the other one struck, so the first one got released, and you didn't know what was going on until the climactic final scene.

Answer 130

Two elements make a difference to me. First - a list of credible suspects, leaving the the viewer guessing right til the end (example, Jagged Edge). And second - a revelation at the end that makes the viewer want to go back and review for clues (example, Sixth Sense).

Answer 131

Well Jerry, It's the unknown violence and terror that is in the air! A good director can create fear and tension for the audience carefully using ordinary props and selective music. You know it's coming, but you don't know when or how! But when it hits it's electric! A good fear factor. Have a good day!

Answer 132

Good old fashioned Director skills in the chair. Look at many of the suspense films from 1950's to 1960's. Little gore, no special FX just good story, dialogue and directing...

Answer 133

Psychological elements. When the situation is too real...like you're thinking, "****, that could happen to me", and you need to find out what happens next. Really far out stuff is just laughable. I've been to thrillers, where the audience just laughed at the ridiculousness of it all (think House Of Wax, Hostel).

Answer 134

As little blood-letting as possible, it makes a suposedly suspense movie into a gore-fest, which stops beign suspesful and/or scary and starts being just plain disgusting and disturbing. (just like in Saw)



Also not being able to see or know the true murderer until the very end or never is a very good tactic.

Answer 135

Plots that make you think; films that scare/thrill your mind not your stomach. Less gore, more hitchcock, less special effects, more Cape Fear.

It's the story that should scare or thrill not the image on the screen. Afterwards can a viewer/reviewer explain the story or just recount a series of set pieces?

Music, menancing does not have to be loud! Quiet draws people in.

Don't be predictable (Mousetrap, Usual Suspects).

Tell a story that thrills, don't rely on special effects to thrill (they may add to the thrill but don't thrill themselves) (Road to Perdition, The Conversation, Quatermass and the Pit, Mississippi Burning).

Answer 136

Personally i love different twists in a movie! Take the bone collector for an example,but also stuff that COULD happen in real life .Hope this helps,oh and by the way i have heaps of great movie ideas if you want to give me a job???????????email me

Answer 137

For me I have to be invested in the characters. People I can either relate to or enjoy stepping into the shoes of for a few hours make all the action more intense. People driven by events and their relationships make the story progress and allow it not to be swallowed up by action and explosions.

Answer 138

Cut out all scenes which are boring and don't make the story go further (you did it in all your films - well done).

Make us feel emotions (whatever they may be) like sadness, happiness and many other kinds of emotions (you did it in all your films - well done) .

Always star the best actors in your films like Johnny Depp or Denzel W. (you did it - well done).

So, actually you have found they key already. Good luck for your future films.

Answer 139

not knowing what the story line is.. alot of films u can guess the storyline and thats sad..haha i just saw deja vu last night i was thinking of that film u dont guess that ending..was good but i was a bit confused where it changed if it was gonna happen anyway but was still a class film dont go all typical like the departed it was a good film but hello the name kinda gave it away...the guardian is also a great film didnt see that ending..what makes me good back a love for films..

Answer 140

Someone being stalked, by an unseen perpetrator. We the viewers will see that person in the film, but not be aware of who the stalker is. As already answered, the camera is that person. Element of surprise, someone being attacked when least expected, not when they enter their apartment and don't switch the lights on - who on earth does that??

Answer 141

You're positive that that person is the villain, but the script moves along so defty that one doubts one's almost absolute certainty only to be shocked later on that you were indeed right because the movie had up to that point done such a brillant job of convincing you that you were wrong to even doubt their innocence but ah...justifiably your doubts are indeed proven correct at the end of it all.

Answer 142

When i think of a "suspense"thriller so to speak,my mind goes back to the old black and white films..they were great thrillers.I ma only 27 so i do not remeber them coming out..but i have had the pleasure of seeking them out..the music that accompanied the films were important too.

Answer 143

the films ' SAW ' did it for me...they were so thought provoking and brilliantly plotted, well I think so ! sorry but American humour is not the same in Britain and most films are either too far fetched or easy to ' see ' the end. Believable situations with great actors like Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington, De Niro etc etc then you know the film is going to be a winner, in my opinion, of course !

Answer 144

Most of the above plus..

I must care about the victims

there should be multiple threats (in parallel not one after the other)

I must care about the victims

red herrings

I must care about the victims

tension through expectation, shock through counter expectation

I must care about the victims

imagination before special effects

I must care about the victims

false release of tension

I must care about the victims

minor plots which show the strengths and failings of being human

I must care about the victims

A sense of reality, commonality and familiarity

I must care about the victims

Answer 145

I believe the music and lighting set the mood the most. Scary or tense music is the best (like the drive up the mountain on The Shining). i just had to see it with my friends after i saw it the first time!

Answer 146

It is the one where the next twist or act in the story is not obvious or forseeable. One of the best suspense movies remember is the original Alien movie. Gripping stuff..

Answer 147

I think people like movies that have action from the start to the end. suspense wears down if the scene is real slow and passive. if you keep the suspense up, it will last for a long time, imprinted on someone's mind.

Answer 148

Relatitivity is an important factor in keeping me glued to the edge of my seat. when the plot is simple and the charaters are believable, the it could happen to you feeling makes you more involved in the movie, itmakes you have an emotional investment in the outcome

Answer 149

i think the movie has to have originality more than anything elts. i hate when i watching a movie and i already know whats going to happen because the same story line has been used before. you have to give it an edge that no one elts has thought of. something that might seem out there and might scare the **** out of some parents lol that will really make your movie sell if parents dont want there kids watching it you can bet there going to find a way to see it... well anyways goodluck with the movie hope its amazing

Answer 150

Every movie has become predictable.



I truly enjoy CSI but you know who the killer is seeing they are from a group of 2 to 3 involved in the plotline and you can see it coming down the pike way before the show ends.



Take Usual Suspects, Shawshank Redemption the story was magnificently crafted that when you hit that twist in the plot you didn't suspect it or it wasn't predictable.

Answer 151

Last, but not least! You would want to compare the movie to those of Seven, Psycho, The Shining and The Hitcher! If you have a look at these movies, they have great cast! Great storyline! And yes, you do want to watch these movies again!

Answer 152

Keep people guessing, rack up the suspense and tension then scare them. Then start all over again - Alien and Sixth Sense.

Answer 153

I like thrillers that have a twist in them. You just KNOW it is one person and then it turns out to be the grandmother! I try then to go back and see if I can't pick up on the clues that point to the right person.

Answer 154

Its all about ramping up the tension with some hefty violence that shocks the hell out of you, then keeping it up there for an extended period of time with some pacy editing and fat music. Definately check out '13' or 'Irreversible' for some prime examples, if you got the stomach for it.

Answer 155

I would like to think as soon as the first scene hits you, the very first frames that will keep you all on edge until the end credit!Like a good song,A beginning,middle & end make hits.

Answer 156

alot of action but not too much gore, but something clever and intelligent like national treasure was a good movie, and also alot of twist in the film, for example when you think its over, the action just begins again and takes you into a completely new problem and adventure. and if it is like a adventure movie or survival movie, like cast away. for all the people that have played the game FarCry youll know what i mean.

Answer 157

Anyone losing their mind in films is great. The Shining is a classic but dare I say it, Jack Nicholson didn't appear stable enough before he lost his marbles. The magic was lost for me.

Answer 158

"The Shining" Jack Nicholson, that was something else, very clever, diverse & in my opinion totally unpredictable, scary but coudn't stop watching, that is suspense! I'm gonna put it on right now!

Answer 159

you need the suspense of the possible no visual like sitting in front of a open fire and all you can see is the fire flame behind that you cant see a thing yet there could be somebody standing there observing you my kids had a open fire and i sat there observing them for about half hour walking up and down and they could not see me untill i stepped over the fire and frightened living daylights out of them

Answer 160

Real suspense is created by actors, not by computer or special effects. Brilliant characters is the key!

Answer 161

A good twist at the end that you weren't expecting. You'll want to see it again to find out how you could miss all the clues pointing to the twist at the end.

Answer 162

When you can you relate to the main character in some way,and you care what happens to them, wether they live or die. Also the when the film is about a subject that people know little about and is unusual

Answer 163

Don't be predictable - I hate it when you can see what is coming.



I love it when you don't figure out "whodunit" until the villan reveals themself.



Your movies rank high with me, so do your tv shows! My favourites are CSI, With out a trace, all the Pirates of the carribean (can't wait for round 3) and anything with Nick Cage and Steve Buschemi.



Thanks for everything!

Answer 164

I love it when your lead up the garden path, I love when the person you least expect it to be turns out to be the villain. I loved Snakes on a Plane, not because it was gory or gratuitous, but because, it took you on a rollercoaster ride, and you didn't know how it was going to end. Loved It.

Answer 165

I am a major fan of yours. Films like "The Rock" are the high-art of its genre. Your abilities to put together so many aspects with such precision makes me think that the writing; its credibility, believability and characterisation is now the critical component.

Simon Inglis

Answer 166

The plot has got to have a very clever and ever twisting storyline. Someting that really makes the brain work!

Answer 167

I reckon the TV series 24 has got to be one of the most compelling viewing experiences I have ever had. I don't know how you would convert that to movie format. I guess that would be quite difficult.

Answer 168

The plot has got to have a very clever and ever twisting storyline. Someting that really makes the brain work!

Answer 169

A murder on the loose that is so freaky you nearly wet your pants. You also have to make the person feel that it is them in the thriller.

Answer 170

has to be captivating, yet at the same time just not expected at all, think people are getting pretty smart at predicting the endings



it makes you go back if it can do all of the above (again and again)



and merry christmas to you too

Answer 171

In my opinion, you need to keep people guessing til the end of the film, but still manage to keep their attention piqued.......give them a number of suspects to think about, then hit them with the surprise element at the end. That is what always keeps me coming back for more......

Answer 172

in my oprinion to keep me guessing and putting lots of twists in at the end. what makes me see it again and agian a strong story line that keeps u guesing till the end with little hints all the way through that you didnt see the first time

Answer 173

When the "Villain" is the least likely one but it suddenly reveals an Horrendous degree of Evil and Violence in the Perpetrator

Answer 174

It all depends on what kind of thriller it is. I would really like to see one based on mobile phones. If they can affect hospital equipment or anything else electronically based that would really be interesting.

Answer 175

A good build up kinda like what Dean Koontz does in his books. It keeps you focused so you can't take your eyes off it. Definetily the ground work leading up to something like a horrible murder. It's all good.

Answer 176

DUPLICITY - not knowing who to trust in the story breeds insecurity which makes you feel vulnerable and anxious......in fact DUPLICITY is a good title for a movie about almost anything in which the main character is involved in deceit and who in turn is deceived... lots of opportunity for practically any scenario anywhere involving anyone. I would choose a military/political setting where deceit in the field is echoed in the machinations of the governments perpetuating the conflict and on a personal level the protagonists need to untangle webs they have made for themselves.....wheels within wheels..

Answer 177

the suspense of the timing of the camera shot, the music behind it and the angel and lighting of the camera and to grab the viewers attention to the film and story is a start if there half watching it they not going to be bothered what happens

Answer 178

i think suspension and the music do it for a thriller, music like O fortuna i think they used that in the origional omen, now that was a scary film.

Answer 179

Good Acting, Good Story Line, Brilliant middle, absolute fantastic end, "Something you definitley wont forget." All round Good preformance

Answer 180

One in which the main characters die... e.g 24 is possibly succesful for that reason as they are always "popping off" leading characters, same principle with the tv series Lost.

Answer 181

Avoid the storyline being too predictable . Thats the best thing , scary music is always a winner.

Answer 182

movies that tie together in the end. like along the way things happen but you dont pick it up until the end when you're like oooh! and then you want to see it again to see the things you didnt pick up. like the sixth sense for example. i won't give it away to anyone who hasnt seen that, but after it ended i thought 'I want to go back and see that again to see everything I hadn't picked up the first time!'

Answer 183

Go back to the classics...I love the jeckle/Hyde relationship in a character.. see the original Pyscho...It's always a success when the characters do or become something that you never expect.

Answer 184

Definitely the music. Ever watch a suspenseful scene with the sound turned down? It's definitely not the same.

Answer 185

I think some kind of Fight Club senario would work, where the killer also seems the one most at danger.



Like your movies Mr B, keep it up big man.

Answer 186

Making the audience believe that they know what the twist is going to be and then hitting them with a complete lowballer that blows their mind.

Answer 187

Rush hour + London + Bus timetable. Wondering if/when the bus will come and if you can get on it. And well, I have no choice but to go through this twice a day...

Answer 188

Not knowing who, or what, having a plot that YOU THINK you have the answer to but not quite sure. Silence of the Lambs, JUST CAUSE, Final Analysis.

Answer 189

Something that really makes you think (often with a twist) and of course, realistic dialogue. Not too heavy handed 'musical effects,etc

Answer 190

You, sir, are the key. You are a diabolical genius and I admire you greatly. With all due respect you dont even need to ask this question

Answer 191

Dont know but i absolutley loved Saw, it kept me on the edge of my seat. I never knew what was gonna happen next and it was sick, really scary.

Answer 192

adventure. Witness the success of Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Star Wars and etc. Adventure lets people escape their hum drum lives.

Answer 193

love movies where the ending turns everything around

Then you have to watch it again to see if you would have spotted all the clues if you had known~"Sixth sense"

Particularly love big aircraft carriers and helecopters-Keep it up Jerry.

Answer 194

When u find out who done it at the end. Just to find out that it wasn't them at all and the killer is still at large.. Just see Saw for perfect example of this.

Answer 195

Full frontal nudity would definitely make me watch a film over and over and the possibility of full frontal would keep me on the edge of my seat

Answer 196

making you feel as if this could ttru;ey happening somewhere in rhis twisted world with all the individuslistic differences , the spectrum of good vs. evil - human ways

Answer 197

The suspense (keep people guessing), scare (keep audience scared) and surprise (give them at the end what they least expect).

Answer 198

Well a good rule of thumb is not to cast Orlando Bloom in anything. He's a nice man but ooooooh his acting stinks!

Answer 199

The feeling that they might win when deep down you know they have no chance eg. Carlito's Way, Usual Suspects.

Answer 200

Oh, all of your films Jerry. In fact when I watch them I'm glued to my seat, as its the only way you can keep me in the cinema watching.

Answer 201

first of all it has to be written well. then it has to be well cast-the characters have to work well together to make you believe in them. then it has to be well directed, which should be easy if your cast are working well together.



then I would go see it time and time again-I don't care about budget and such stuff or even big hollywood names, but it has to be believable escapism.

Answer 202

Genuinely not knowing who or what the enemy is until the very end. Or possibly not being told who the enemy is and having to work it out for yourself.

Answer 203

Whats up jerry run out of ideas and you want someone else to do the work for you so you can rip there ideas off and pay them jack ****, yeah right get a life

Answer 204

The film I've written, wanna buy it Jerry?

Answer 205

Personally for me, the best is when you are in the killers mind, you see the colours that he/she sees, you hear the sounds..........., it kinda messes with your mind, and that makes you suspect everybody, so when the real killer is revealed, it is a total surprise.

Answer 206

Empathy with the baddie, Scarface,the three kings,Brother Orchard,Find me Guilty, Meet Joe Black, all terrific films you can watch again and again

Sound effects as in Psycho.

The atmosphere of the situations Casablanca,The Maltese Falcon.

You couldn't tell Speilberg i've got a terrific Idea for a film the next time you speak to him could you? thanks

Answer 207

I love the movies when they suck you in and you think you have the plot all figures out and then suddenly, BANG a twist in the tale that you did not see coming.

Answer 208

The characters have to be really believable.

You need to care about the character and what is happening to them.

Answer 209

It has to be the music.



Also leaving a lot to the imagination rather than showing the murder/monster etc;

Answer 210

27.Things that do not connect till the middle of the movie, effective tying of loose ends, etc.

Answer 211

Fear of the unknown - is always the best way to make people scared in my opinion.

Answer 212

I like it when there's loads going on and you don't really have much of a clue, then it's revealed and BANG, it all slots into place. Then you go back and watch it again and you are like, oh yeah, THAT'S what that was!

Answer 213

A constant twist of events that are unexpected... nothing seems as it is and just when you think you have it figured out.... you don't.



Best Wishes,



Sue

Answer 214

the one thing that creep's me out about a good thriller is when you don't really know who is the bad guy!???? your friend? wife? boss?son?

and you dont show that many clue's till the very end!!

Answer 215

When the action swings back and forth, when the viewer is unsure what is going to happen next, when the unexpected overrides the expected.

Answer 216

From your question I'm guessing you'd really like to know.

Will you be giving all these nice people a chunk of your profits when you release a movie based on their suggestions?

Answer 217

music.. remember those old but good movies that had you on the edge of your seat... music, work for me

Answer 218

& Mummy returns (films)

4)Evil Dead I and II (films)

5)Agatha Christie books & films

6)Mind hunters (film)

7)Saw I, II and III (fi

Answer 219

Not getting to see or have too much info .tension music a must !

Answer 220

A good story

Answer 221

you cant really define this....



i think its a combination... it has to be a good story with plenty of twists, a GREAT actor, great direction, a good set...



some examples of good ones...



one of my favourites is Alien, it has all of the above and it was so pioneering.



i think you have to leave things to the imagination but then you have to reveal at the end of the film... so many leave you feeling dissatisfied when you dont see the killer or any good special effects.



the film i watch over and over would be silence of the lambs, again, fantastic acting!, great sets and a great plot...

Answer 222

Leaving a lot of the action to the imagination. It heightens the suspense much more that actually seeing it on screen.

Answer 223

music

Answer 224

when you can only catch a glimpse of the "baddie" like in Alien

Answer 225

Definately when the unexpected happens. I love it when the plot is so well thought out that it draws you into it.

Answer 226

having time to sit down and watch it ...an this is the real me

Answer 227

First, you need seats

Answer 228

I find it especially suspenseful when the killer is known by the audience but not the hero. I think this makes for a slowly building intensity because you suspect what is going to happen but are unable to do anything about it.

Answer 229

putting in things which u may miss the first time u watch it, so that its diferent and thought provoking and unpredicable.

Answer 230

waiting for oscar to jump out of the garbage can?

Answer 231

Hmm, are you after stealing my ideas?

Answer 232

when you don't see anything....when everything is only hinted at so that your mind makes it worse and wrose...



although a BIT of gore doesn't go amiss..

Answer 233

fast things

Answer 234

Less blood, more intelligence.

Answer 235

a seat

Answer 236

I love it when the camera is the killer and you don't get to see them.



signs was kinda scary until you saw the stupid thing that was rustling in the crops !

Answer 237

THE MUSIC

Answer 238

I love it when the camera is the killer and you never see his/her face.

Answer 239

Alfred Hitchcock was the master..

Answer 240

24.Electricity failure or, best, malfunctioning (esp. light).

Answer 241

It could be true.

Answer 242

Watch the movie Cache. This'll answer your question.

Answer 243

Suspense

Answer 244

I love a good twist and a cliffhanger!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 245

Arlington Road... whata corker

Answer 246

AS

Answer 247

Anticipation. I rent DVDs instead of going to the overpriced theater. Umm, sorry, Jerry Bruckheimer, who?? Am I supposed to know who you are?