Thrillers are moneymakers. I’m not saying that if you write a thriller, you will end up rolling in dough until you’re one day discovered naked, hanging by a belt in your walk-in closet the size of a small house…oops. Sorry. I tend to get carried away and am easily distracted by killer tangents. Let me just write that down as a potential story idea, then I’ll get right back to you…
What I mean to say is that the thriller genre is generally the second most popular (after romance). So it’s only natural that thrillers take up an outsized space on our bookshelves and our video libraries. I thought it’d be fun to analyze the differences between thriller novels and thriller films. So if you’re ready, keep your guard up, and let’s begin.
Character Development
The thrill of reading a novel:
One aspect I love about writing novels is my ability to delve deep into my characters’ psyches. I can explore (and share) their inner thoughts, fears, and motivations, which allows me to create a more profound connection between my readers and the protagonists (and honestly even the antagonist, since I like to blur the lines). This in-depth character development often enhances the suspense for the reader.
The thrill of watching a film:
Even a great thriller movie can’t compete with the inner reflection provided in a book. Films are limited to a specific runtime (unless you’re Martin Scorsese), which can make it challenging to provide the same level of character depth. However, powerful performances by actors, combined with the visuals of the medium, bring the story to life in a way the book might not be able to, even in the hands of the most imaginative reader. Sometimes, less is more, and a well-acted facial expression or body language can convey a character’s fear or determination.
Pacing and Timing
The thrill of reading a novel:
I spend a lot of time on the pacing of my novels. Doing this allows me to control the tension. I can let it build and build until the reader is pent up with nervous excitement, eagerly turning each page, wondering what will happen next. Then I’ll unleash it suddenly, using elements like sentence structure and chapter breaks to manipulate the reader’s emotional experience. This freedom allows novels to include intricate, multi-layered plots.
The thrill of watching a film:
Movie directors can manipulate timing to build tension as well. They use various film techniques, such as editing, camera angles, and music, to control the pacing. In a thriller film, jump cuts, silence, or a sudden crescendo of music can create intense moments. The manipulation of sound, in particular, can have a powerful impact. Think about the last scary or suspenseful movie you watched. Would it have had the same impact on you if you watched it without the sound? Or if the music was absent?
Atmosphere and Setting
The thrill of reading a novel:
Some authors paint vivid mental images of the world their characters inhabit. Others give you just a glimpse. I tend to fall somewhere in the middle. I like to give readers an idea of the environment, using descriptive language to set the scene and create the atmosphere, so they know why a character might react a certain way. Detailed descriptions allow readers to visualize the locations, and the use of symbolism and metaphor can add layers of meaning to each setting, drawing readers even deeper into the world I’ve made up for them.
The thrill of watching a film:
Filmmakers have the luxury of employing visual and auditory elements to establish the atmosphere. Lighting, color schemes, and sound design play a significant role in creating the mood. A well-chosen location and set design can be just as integral to the storytelling as the characters themselves.
Suspenseful Plot Structure
The thrill of reading a novel:
Novels have the luxury of revealing information in a non-linear fashion. We authors can use flashbacks, multiple narrators, and complex structures to keep readers guessing. This intricate plotting is a hallmark of many successful thriller novels.
The thrill of watching a film:
Thriller films often rely on linear storytelling, making it challenging to play with time in the same way as novels. However, directors can use techniques like nonlinear editing or unreliable narration to introduce twists and surprises, providing a fresh take on familiar plots.
Unreliable Narrators
The thrill of reading a novel:
I love a good unreliable narrator. If done well, a character’s unreliable nature is hinted at but never fully revealed until just the right moment. I think I love this trope because I feel like each of us, to some degree, is an unreliable narrator. We see the world how we want to see it. Our baggage brings certain things into focus and blurs others. And, let’s face it, we can’t be trusted. That’s what makes social gatherings so fun, or painful, depending on your point of view.
The thrill of watching a film:
Films have the advantage in their ability to use visual and auditory cues to convey a character’s unreliability. Camera angles, editing, and soundtrack choices can all hint at a character’s instability or hidden agenda. Or maybe not. Ever see “The Usual Suspects”? This movie is a master class in creating a believable character only to shatter the illusion at the very end of the movie. Oh man, it’s so good.
So which is better? I say why choose!
Thriller novels and films each offer unique storytelling techniques that cater to their respective strengths. If you want to be immersed in a world, watching it come to life from the shadows of your mind’s eye, pick up a thriller novel. You’ll experience deep character exploration, intricate plotting, and unlimited internal monologue.
If you want an explosive, visceral impact of realistic action, human behavior and relatable drama, put on a thriller movie. You’ll be surrounded by visual and auditory cues, pacing, and the immediacy of performances that convey suspense and tension.
Tell me. Which do you prefer? Do you have a favorite thriller author? A director you always turn to when you want a good thrill?
