The Shining - Codes and Conventions of the Pyschological Thriller

In terms of Cinematography, the typical codes and conventions of the psychological thriller genre would consist of close-ups, long shots and Ariel shots. This is shown in as Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. The film centres around the main character Jack Torrance’s mental state turn to a violent level during being the caretaker in the Hotel. Kubrick samples a series of Long/Ariel shots, to anchor his isolation, and close-ups to highlight his insanity. In terms of camera movement, we have followed “The Shining’s” codes and conventions of the dolly shot, as it almost conveys the notion that the delusional lead protagonist is stalking his victim. A lot of psychological films tend to play on the minds of the audience, into believing something different than to the actual outcome of the film. For example at the end of the film there is a photo shown of the main character Jack, attending a ball at the hotel in 1921, six decades before he became the caretaker, indicating that somehow he has been either alive since then or reincarnated, which will confuse and excite the audience.