The History of psychological thrillers

By Zayn Sattar

1920-1930

The start of the psychological thriller era started to begin in the 1920’s. The film that shows this is “Blackmail" this was a 1920s film and was based in the streets of London.An important thing to take into account is the fact that the citizens of Britain were still recovering from the first world war and where heading into the start of world war II

1940’s

In 1949 the release of the “Third Man” was officially available for the British public. This was directed by carol reed and was mostly remembered for its atmospheric cinematography, the performances and music.This was released during the second world war and portrays parts of the dangers influenced from the war including the attitudes and the civilization involved around the time.

1950’s

1954 was the beginning of the American suspense crime film “ Rear Window “which was classed as a psychological thriller. This was written by Michael Haynes and was largely influenced by Cornell Wool Richs short story from the 1940’s, “ It Had To Be Murder “

1960’s As the psychological thriller genre

started to develop a popular French hit was “ Paris Nous Appartient “ translated into “ Paris Belongs To Us "the whole plot behind this hit was based upon actors who were rehearsing the well known play Pericles by William Shakespeare, and the film gives us a portrayal of life for bohemian Parisians in the 1950’s.this film was released in Frances climax era where the economy was thriving straight after recovering from the second world war.

1970’s and 1980’s

The conversation was a film released in 1974 and was about surveillance and the use of it around the city. However at the time this was significantly important to America, as in this era the use of CCTV was on the rise and America was going through the cold war as well as being in a temporary state of paranoia.

1990’s

1995 was the release of seven, this was the film that developed the generic conventions of psychological thrillers and introduced the dark side. The film events were stimulated from the Rwanda Genocide, this was a bleak period for mankind as worldwide people witnessed the massacre that took place in Rwanda where innocent people were slaughtered due to the difference in the ethnic groups.

21st century

The psychological thriller genre has changed a long way from the start in 1920’s all the way up to now in the 21st century, as the generic conventions have adapted themselves to the times. this huge change can be shown through the film “Now you see me”, this is a resent release in 2013 and represents how the whole idea of wealth and fame has spread its way into the industry in the current day and age we are all living in.