Conventions of crime and psychological thrillers

Crime films are developed around the sinister actions of criminals or gangsters, particularly bankrobbers who work outside the law, stealing and violently murdering their way through life. In the 1940s, a new type of crime thriller was created which became more dark and cynical. Criminal and gangster films are similar to film noir or detective-mystery films. Crime films include:

• Suspense to create tension between characters- keeps audience entertained
• Murders/robbery's/shoot outs/double cross/crime related scenarios
• Can include the rise and fall of a criminal  which is often based on real people
• Location is usually in a large city to provide the viewer with an insight into a secret world
• Main characters have an ambitious for desire for success or recognition
• Rivalry between binary opposite characters is strong
• Dark night clubs lurid neon signs, fast cars, piles of cash, sleazy bars,
• Exotic locales for crimes often add an element of adventure and wealth.

Psychological thriller films is a subgenre of thriller fiction that relies on character fears, guilt, beliefs, eerie sound effects, relevant music and emotional instability to build tension and further the plot. The titles are usually formatted in a white text agasint a black background

• The central theme of 'identity' which can be mistaken identity, stolen identity, dual identity, doppelgangers, confused identity and amnesia
• The theme of 'perception and reality' gives the sense of seeing the narrative from the perspective of multiple characters
• The theme of 'memory' can often involve the torture of an individual with a traumatic memory or specific last memory
• 'Technical devices' such as flashbacks and repetition in editing are common. 
•  Imagery is used such as a close up of eyes
• Creates effects to entertain the audience