Impact of technology and audience on Genre – Thriller genre
In media we have looked at how genres developed overtime. Down below I have researched and used past films as references to explain how the thriller genre has developed over this past century.
In media there is a wide range of genres, each appealing towards different audiences’ preferences. Specifically, in Film Media, the thriller genre is designed to help create feelings of suspense, anticipation, and excitement for the audience. This is crucial as it engages the audience both emotionally and psychologically, making it more of an immersive experience audiences prefer and enjoy. The thriller genre has evolved significantly in recent years, as the demand for film media increases. Some aspects like technological advancements, shifting audiences’ preferences, and socio-cultural influences play a big impact towards how different audiences each interpret thriller themselves, due to past experiences or own viewpoints, (Stuart Hall: Reception Theory).
Due to the rise in technology, it meant that producers were able to create more advanced and visually engaging thriller films, reducing dangerous scenes while still maintaining realism. Technology is used most during postproduction of a film as special effects and CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) are added in, helping add to the storyline of the film as possibilities can be endless. This allowed producers to create more realistic and immersive scenes, once deemed “impossible” to replicate in real-life, which is safer to conduct and can be more cost-effective in the long term. Improvements in special effects and CGI, help support producers’ visions allowing them to come to life. This provides a great sense of realism for audiences, making it more eye-catching and an immersive experience in which they can remember. Additionally, the use of streaming services such as ‘Netflix’ (streaming 2007), and ‘Disney+’ (2019) are paid monthly or yearly by users which generates profit for the films, even after the release. The increase in streaming services allow audiences to watch from the comfort of their own homes, offering convince, such as watching conditions (Pauses, stop starts, rewind, etc.) This gives audiences full control of their own viewing experience, allowing it to be personalized. Furthermore, films can be more accessible this way as they are all on one platform, meaning audiences get choices to what they might prefer. Finally, the improvement in Cinematography and Sound allows scenes to become more captivating, like Digital Cameras, which can create new camera movements/effects keeping audiences engaged and interesting, as well as emphasis on sound which can make the scene feel more immersive.
Audiences’ preferences have also helped shaped the evolution of the thriller genre, like the increase in demand for psycological thrillers. Modern day audiences enjoy character driven storylines, rather than action-packed thrillers. This way audiences can connect to the film more personally, which leads to an increase in more thrillers exploring motives and dilemmas, suiting audience demands/preferences. Additionally, the demand for films with diversity and representation have become increasingly popular; as audiences prefer to watch something more personalized to themself. They prefer characters who are not stereotypical, which creates more realistic characters who are unpredictable. This allows thrillers to be more exciting as there are less linear narrative within the media. For example, “Glass Onion” (2022), a murder mystery thriller. One of its main characters is a detective who’s queer, along with a black female lead. This breaks both stereotypical characters, while still including diversity and representation. Films like this can attract audiences based on inclusivity, like how Glass Onion made $15million during it’s limited one-week theatrical run.
Furthermore, the socio-cultural influences on the thriller genre have increased both character representation and storytelling. Traditional gender roles are constantly being challenged, with more films featuring strong female protagonists, rather than male driven narratives. This is reflective upon the shifting of audience preferences in society, but also encourages the breaking of long-term stereotypes, like gender inequality. For example, “Wicked” (2024), which is centered upon 2 strong female leads. It’s PG rating targets children, who are shown that women are just as worthy as men, being able to lead the narrative. It is also inspiring for the children as the female leads can act as role models, challenging against stereotypes, while also attracting a wide range of audiences. In addition, the growing fascination with real-life crime has increased the demand for true crime thrillers. Audiences are drawn to realistic investigative stories and crime events, as they have unfortunately become more relevant in everyday life.
In conclusion, thriller as a genre in film media has developed rapidly over the past years, through improvements in technological advancements, changes in audience preferences as well as socio-cultural influences. It evolution has made it a more enjoyable and immersive experience from the production of the film to the audience’s response. It’s increased demand means that audiences prefer engaging and relevant topics personalized to their interests, in which film producers target in order to satisfy their needs.
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