Themes in the Thriller Genre - individual

Themes in the Thriller Genre

One theme that is shown in the thriller 'Bird Box' is Survival (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2AsIXSh2xo&t=94s). This theme is denoted at 0:55-1:00 where a mysterious force destroys the population and the civilians are running to safety to survive. The survivors must now avoid coming face to face with an entity that takes the form of their worst fears. If they see it, they die. Survival is also shown at 2:24-2:32 where the women uses a gun to protect herself and is then suddenly forced to fight with a mysterious creature in order to survive. This theme is used to create a tense atmosphere and make the audience feel on edge as they are unsure as to whether the characters will survive.

Another theme that is used in 'Bird Box' is Love (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBLK5FAAp1Q). Familial Love is shown through the relationship of the mother and her children. An example is denoted at 5:05 where the mother is comforting her daughter and says "It's not the end of the world". This connotes her love and care for her children as well as their familial bond. Romantic Love is also used as a theme in this thriller film. Malorie and Tom begin to build feelings for each other and become boyfriend and girlfriend. At 5:06, denoted in the shot is Malorie and Tom kissing. This connotes their love and care for each other as well as their passionate relationship. This highlights the theme of Love which makes the audience feel emotional and sympathetic for the characters as they want them to overcome this mysterious force that is trying to kill them.

                     

A theme that occurs in 'Bird Box' is Death (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2AsIXSh2xo&t=94s). The narrative of the thriller film, depends heavily on the theme on death. This is because, if they make eye contact with this mysterious force, they will die.
An example of where death is denoted is at 0:55, where there are fires, car crashes and civilians being killed. This is shown at the beginning of the trailer/film which may shock the audience. It also allows the audience to identify the theme of death and understand that it plays a big part in the film. Another example that connotes death is at 1:22. This is when one of the survivors says "Every contact we've had with the outside has brought us death". This means that every time the survivors have gone outside, someone has died. This creates an anxious effect on the audience as it could make them think that all of the survivors will eventually die and that there won't be a new state of equilibrium at the end of the film.