Assignment A (Unit 10)

Compare and contrast the narrative and stylistic codes and conventions of two thriller films (Panic Room and John Wick) using detailed examples to illustrate your points.

 

Through my research on the thriller genre I have learnt that thrillers often hold key conventions such as emphasis on the suspense as its built throughout the film this can be done in many ways most typically this suspense is created through the deliberate use of suspenseful music that builds to a climax. More archetypal conventions include the use of low key lighting , and thematic points such as revenge or escape. In this assessment I will be analysing both ‘John Wick’ and ‘Panic Room’ and how they compare and contrast subsequently I will explore their differences and similarities. I will be focusing on the early key scenes in both films such as the build up to John Wick’s first climactic fight scene as well as the fight scene and in ‘Panic Room’ I will focus on where both Meg and Sarah are trapped in the panic room conversing with the robbers through surveillance and speakers as well as their escape to the ‘sanctuary’ of their panic room. Both these films have some audience similarities as well as differences examples of this is John Wicks potential audience being male audiences interested in violence as well as the thriller aspect as well as this panic rooms audience would similarly be interested in the thriller aspect however the target audience would be female as the protagonist would appeal more to females.

 

Whilst researching the thriller genre have found that many thriller films have female protagonists. Evidence to suggest this could be Jodie Foster and Krysten Stuart in panic room this conforms to the convention of the female protagonist this could be done to perpetuate feminist ideals of empowerment as well as overcoming difficulties,  however John Wick contradicts this as it uses Keanue Reeves as a protagonist potentiolly appealing to a more masuclie audience.In panic room this is evident when we see Jodie Foster negotiate with the robbers in a forceful manner within her panic room that is sufficently stored and equipped with technology.This well supplied room could implie preparedeness as she is ready and anticpates the invasion. Similarly we see another convention of thriller as the lighting and tinting of the scene foreshadows what the film entails of turbulence.This links to John Wick as we see strong female characters throughout the film however the films focus on a male protagonist in John Wick and contradicts the typical portrayal of a female protagonist by perpetuating the violent masculine nature commonly seen in films.

 

Despite both films having many differences they are both located in city locations for the majority of the film. As ‘Panic Room’ begins and ends in the city location and perpetuates the theme of entrapment within the suburban environment as the female protagonists are confined to the ‘safety’ of their panic room.This entrapment could act as a vital factor in the successful execution of a confined thriller. However ‘John Wick’ uses the city environment to explore archetypal conventions of an action thriller such as gun and knife fights as well as fast paced action like cars racing. Both these films incorporate the city environment into their action to fulfill their conventions as thrillers. The prominent theme of revenge throughout ‘John Wick’ is perpetuated by Johns climactic final fight scene against Viggo Tarasov in the helicopter landing in a suburban area. This fight scene clearly shows the climax of the film and it represents the resolution of John's revenge on those who wronged him in the beginning. This fulfills the key theme of revenge commonly used in crime or action thrillers. This is compared to the ‘Panic Room’ that uses entrapment to convey protection and helplessness this is also a key convention of the contained thriller sub-genre. This is achieved when we see the steel doors close as Meg and Sarah watched the intruders through a POV shot on the cameras. This specific shot types encourages audiences to relate with the family and sympathise with them. On top of this the two shot connotes a sense of safety and love that the two characters feel while in each others presence.

 

Another main similarity that the films both share could be the use of dramatic non-diegetic music to create suspense as the tension builds to a climactic scene. Using the non-diegetic music to create a dramatic atmosphere is a common convention within the thriller genre. This is done in ‘Panic Room’ when Meg and Sarah are attempting to flee from the invaders. As they remain as silent as possible the music plays in the background building suspense and creating a sense of uncertainty within the audience. In ‘Panic Room’ audiences watch as Meg creeps around attempting to remain undetected however the non-diegetic music encourages the audience to sympathise with her uncertainty and fear of capture. The music could be argued as a vital aspect of a film as it can alter genre however the deliberate use of dramatic music building throughout clearly indicates the genre and intention to create suspense. This is similarly evident in ‘John Wick’ as he prepares to fight intruders the dramatic music plays as John prepares, foreshadowing the climactic fight and creating suspense. As shown dramatic music creating suspense is a key convetion of a thriller film.

 

Another key aspect of the thriller is ensuring that it ends with a positive outcome and some stability in the character's environment. This could be interpreted as Todorov's theory as he believes that the film begins with equilibrium in the character world and then the power shifts after this the plot revolves around restoring balance with the eventual restoration of balance. This theory is prevalent in all thrillers such as ‘Panic Room’ and ‘John Wick’. Evidence that supports this is ‘Panic Room’s narrative this is because it begins with Meg and Sarah who discover the home and then are robbed as they become helpless the robbers plot to steal fails and in the conclusion of the film balance is restored and Meg and Sarah move house. This theory is also applicable in John Wick as he is wronged in the begging as the kill his dog and eventually he finds retribution, gets revenge and restores balance.

 

‘John Wick’s plot entails troubles for John Wick and the eventual demise for those who wronged him . It begins with John losing his wife and during his morning process his wife had ordered a puppy for him after she died he cares for the puppy and we see John struggle to care for the dog however whilst out in his car we are introduced to a group of russian mobsters led by Ioesf Tarasov (Alfie Allen) who offer to buy his car John refuses and Allen's character insult him in russian and John retorts in russian . This exchange implies that John has a mysterious past that could relate to the russian mob.They then break into Johns house and proceed to steal his car , killing his puppy and beating John unconscious. John wakes , buries his puppy and proceeds to track down those involved. We begin to see evidence of Johns renown when Alfie Allen's character attempts to go into a garage that's associated with the russian mob. And they refuse him out of fear of Johns retribution.The leader of the rusian mob and Joseph's father calls up the garage and requests explanation for his action and they explain it was John Wick's car and the audience see the understanding and melancholic fear that he has. Johns house is then attacked by an elite squad of armed mobsters who he depatches easily , John calls up cleaners to dispose of the corpses, this clearly conveys his criminal connections. John then works to dismantle the russian mob methodically and we see his skilled and renowned for his prowess in hired killing John is assisted by a fellow hit man played by Willem Dafoe as killers are sent after John. We see John kill Losef as he methodically takes out those protecting him and then coldly calculated murders him fulfilling his revenge.The film concludes in a climactic battle between iosefs father and John and we see John win and flee to a kennel where he finds a new dog and leaves. 

 

In contrast to this the Panic room portrays the story of newly divorced mother and her child who move hastily into a new home that has a Panic room with various surveillance cameras . The night they move into the house three men attempt to burgle a house under false pretence of an unattended house. Despite the house being lived in they continue the robbery. They intended to rob the house as they know that it contains two million dollars in bearer bonds within a safe. As the robbery begins Meg awakes and sees the men enter on the surveillance cameras in the Panic room quickly after both Meg and Sarah shelter in the Panic room. They attempt to contact people outside the house unaware of their situation , one robber (Burnham) releases propane into the air vents of the Panic room . Another robber then elevates the amount of propane to harmful and potentially lethal levels sarah then cowers under a fireproof blanket as she ignites the gas burning junior in the process. Both Meg and Sarah then try again to contact others and they succeed for a short period and contact stephen her ex husband. Promptly after they establish communication the robbers then proceed to promptly destroy their communication with a sledge hammer. After many failed attempts Junior gives up and reveals that there is more money in the safe than he led his comrades on to believe he is the efficiently killed by Raoul who then forces Burnham to assist him with the robbery at gunpoint. Steven the ex husband arrives at the house to reduce both Sarah and Meg but is quickly taken hostage and brutally beaten . Sarah then suffers a seizure as she suffers from diabetes however the syringe she desperately needs is in a fridge outside of the Panic room Raoual then tricks meg into leaving the protection of the Panic room and Burnham enters after finding the syringe Meg struggles with Royal who shen throws into the Panic room along with the syringe Burnham then proceeds to lock them in and Royals hand gets stuck and crushed by the steel doors . After Sarah begs for Megs medicine to be administered Burnham injects her syringe as he had no intention of harming either of the houses inhabitants. Two police officers then arrive at the house prompting Royal to threaten Meg subsequently Sarah lies about the threat to ensure Meg lives after discovering the bearer bonds the robbers attempt to flee . Steven then attempts to shoot Royal however he misses and Royal then attempts to beat Meg to death with a sledgehammer after being alerted to this burnham saves meg and kills royal the police then arrive in force and capture burnham as he lets the bearer bonds fly away into the wind.

 

John Wick can be interpreted as a crime and action thriller this is because it involves excessive amoúnts of violence as well as having a key theme of revenge that permeates the plot. A scene that suggests this could be when John Wick is fighting the russian mob as they invade his home in a premature attempt to kill him in the visceral display of violence and focus that ensues John is presented as an extremely skilled fighter as well as exceptionally dedicated to avenging his wife's final gift and the potential embodiment of his wife's caring nature (the puppy Daisy). The scene begins with well dressed men in balaclavas who enter John's home . The scene is permeated with a black theme such as night and clothing this could symbolise the mystery of Johns past or potentially the deadly nature of Johns character . However despite both of these interpretations the black theme is an archetypal convention of thrillers subsequently creating a thrilling suspense in the audience. We then see a low angle close up of John as he stares down on the intruders from the shadows. This could show that John is very powerful as we see him from a low angel with him looming over the audience on top of this we see John in the shadows this could build on the convention of darkness as he lurks in the shadows embodying the fear of the unknown. We then watch as John skillfully dispatches the men sent to kill him this brutal display of lethal prowess acts to fulfill the suspense and alludes to Johns mysterious past as a killer. Despite this it also shows John as the archetypal action thriller protagonist as he is far more skilled than any of his foes and subsequently is in no imminent danger himself. This action scene follows an intense build up of suspense and is accompanied by the diegetic noise of gunfire and footsteps as men meander through Johns home on top of this diegetic soundtrack there is an intense rhythmic drumming as he battles his adversaries this acts to perpetuate the intense violence as well as acting as the climax to a slow suspenseful non-diegetic track.This contrasts Panic room as they embodied the key aspects of a contained thriller as both meg and sarah are trapped in the Panic room of their house this entrapment within a room that would be deemed as sanctuary is an archetypal convention vital in the successful execution of a contained thriller. A key scene where this is evident is when Meg converses with the robbers as they are trapped in the room the robbers reveal that they have more knowledge of the room than Meg and Sarah this could also be interpreted as a classic convention of a thriller as it creates a sense of hopelessness. On top of this the numerous surveillance cameras create a sense of voyeurism as it gives me insight into what the intruders and perpetuates the idea of nothing is private this could instill a sense of uncomfort within the audience.These cameras could also iconically symbolise that they are being watched in the house but could also show more symbolically that Meg wouldn't find privacy in the house , all matters are no longer private and that despite the technology at her disposal she is helpless impling a sense of helplessness which could be viewed as another convention of a confined thriller.

 

Building suspense is key in all thriller films and John Wick shows that its vital to create anticipation within a thriller film through the use of melancholic foreshadowing and monologuing accompanied by suspenseful music that builds until the action unveils.John Wick uses suspense through the foreshadowing of his great skill and renown , they foreshadow this through the non-diegetic music that builds to create anticipation for his fight scene accompanied by the sorrowful singing of viggo.Johns skill and renown among the criminal underworld is accentuated by Vigo’s monologue that plays while John prepares to dispatch the men viggo sent. The scene begins on a mid shot of John in the shower and the camera pans down to reveal tattoos commonly associated with criminal organisations again imply to the audience that John has a mysterious past overshadowed by crime and killing.John then turns to the camera with a grim melancholic expression as he walks towards the camera it cuts to John preparing in a black suite of fine material connoting John is wealthy and implying that his obviously criminal past had amassed him a fortune.Viggos monologue begins as he prepares this audio is said in a low melancholic fashion as if he expects the killers to fail as a result of this it implies that John is notorious among the criminal syndicate.Johns preparation is accompanied by an ominous non-diegetic audio track that builds suspense , this suspenseful music accompanied by the methodical preparation of John wick intrigues audiences and builds anticipation for the foreshadowed violence. We see viggo sat by a fire chanting of Johns exploits to who viggo compares ‘the boogeyman’ it then fades to balck and out of black to reveal John in a black suit crafted from expensive fabric implying he is prepared viggos diegetic monologuing creates a soundbridge between the action and viggo. This excessive amount of foreshadowing instills a sense of dread as the tension builds it creates an aura of anticipation within the audience.On top of this many stylistic codes are used to instill a sense of foreboding within the audience examples of this include the excessive use of black as a key color theme this blackness is symbolic of grief and loss as well as death subsequently implying that John embodies death.This blackness is another convention of thriller films as it symbolises the unknown and what lurks in the darkness this uncertainty could create a sense of dread or fear.Another stylistic codes could be John's expensive and fine clothing this could be symbolic and iconic of wealth and amassing a physical fortune however it could be symbolic of his renown as he is superior to his adversaries and subsequently dressed in finer clothes.Similarly Panic Room build suspense as well however it does it in a different way.In Panic room they begin with the discovery of thieves in the house and Meg races through the house to get her daughter and her into the Panic room this creates suspense through the non diegetic audio played as an anxious audience wait to discover whether Meg and her daughter will find safety this non-diegetic music not only creates suspense but is an archetypal convention of all thriller films. On top of this we see Meg race to find her daughter asleep and wake her whilst remaining as quite this imperative of remaining hidden and quite creates suspense as the audience are left to anticipate the severe consequences of being captured they then flee the elevator where they descend through the house seeing all the intruders as they descend all seems hopeless however Sarah remembers the Panic room and head towards its safety.This is another convention of a thriller as it ensures the protagonists prevail.Once at the entrance they head inside and Meg clears the debris in time to close the door before Jared Leto’s character can get in . He then smashes the mirror in frustration as another character (Raoul) comments on the negative consequences of breaking a mirror this could foreshadow his eventual demise and the failure of the robbery. The safe room here is iconically shown to simply create a safe room as they escape the imminent danger however it could also be seen as the safe room acting as a false utopia to lure them in with the promise of safety and then punish them by trapping them inside and making them endure and witness what the robbers do as they attempt to enter the safe room.

 

In conclusion both John wick and Panic room exhibit key conventions of a thriller such as the suspenseful music accompanied with the rising action to create a sense of anxiousness as well as the dark theme showing an exploration into the  malicious horrors of the unknown. However what provides such distinct difference is the sub-genre of thriller they conform to as John wick being and action crime thriller it would entail more violence than a confined thriller such as Panic room which would dwell on the entrapment of the protagonist as well as exhibiting voyeurism is some form.