Learning Thriller Spy Films Through Film Techniques- Alejandra A.

Research Focus

One of the main areas that I researched for this stage of the project was how filmmakers create suspense in thriller spy films, and the specific techniques that they use, whether that be related to the cameras and their angles and shots, or editing, or sound. As the style that I intend to focus upon and create is that of a spy thriller, I felt that it was important to research this element.

Camera Framing and Composition

There are many different types of shots within this genre that are used to emphasize emotion or to communicate information to the audience, often even without being direct. For instance, there are close up shots that are often used to emphasize the nervous expression on a character’s face to demonstrate that something might be wrong. There are also over the shoulder shots that are often used when characters are interacting, especially if there’s uncertain trust between the characters. Finally, there are wide shots that are often used to isolate the character within a large space to emphasize their vulnerability.

Camera Angles and Shots

The film will also use low angle shots to show the characters to be dominant or intimidating. The opposite effect will be seen for high angle shots. Another crucial scene will be the point-of-view shots. These shots spy on the character and enable the audience to feel like they’re also spying on them. 

Reaction shots are also used heavily in this film genre. These scenes do not show action but show the character responding to something, so spy thrillers use this to create suspense.

Editing Techniques 

Spy thrillers usually employ slow pacing and long takes to create tension. Fast cuts are only used in moments of peak stress or urgency. Cross cutting is also an important technique. By cutting between two concurrent events, editors create suspense by indicating that a confrontation is about to happen. The editors also withhold information, using delayed reveals to create intrigue.

Sound & Audio Design

While looking at thriller spy films, sound plays a major role. The types of sounds are not always noticeable to the audience, but they help make the audience feel a certain way when watching the film. Some of the sounds include silence, when there is minimal dialogue, or even when there are low sounds that can indicate there is a level of danger present in the scene. Many of these are part of the film’s soundtrack, but other parts belong within the scene.

How This Research Helps My Project

This helps with the film because it shows how suspense is created in spy thriller films, often through film techniques, even if very little happens. Since my film is short, it shows me that suspense can be created through film techniques without the need for complex effects.

Sources:

Binder, Studio. “What Is a Thriller Genre? Definition, Elements, and Examples.” StudioBinder, https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/thriller-genre/. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.

“Spy Film.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/art/spy-film. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.

Character Types in Spy Films- Alejandra A.

Why I Researched Spy Film Characters

In order to find out more about the characters that are typically found within these types of movies, research was performed to discover the types of characters that were often included within films that included spies as their primary theme or storyline. Such films rely heavily upon the different types of characters, and understanding which characters are typical will help to allow for the development of a story and script that is both authentic and effective in reaching its audience.

Common Character Types in Spy Films

The Spy or Protagonist
In most cases, the main spy is very intelligent and highly observant. Yet, they tend to be less knowledgeable than the audience. This creates tension but also thrills the audience regarding what is about to occur. Spy films such as The Bourne Identity are fantastic examples, as the protagonist is always unsure of who to trust.

The Handler or Authority Figure
This is someone who provides instructions, information, or missions, although they may not always be completely trustworthy. 

The Double Agent or Traitor
One of the most important characters to help build suspense in these types of films are double agents. By definition, double agents are individuals who appear to be loyal to one group, yet are secretly working against the others.

The Antagonist
And a lot of spy movies have bad guys. But the bad guys aren’t always right there in front of you all the time. It’s more scary if they’re sort of hidden away and the threat is, you know, the threat, rather than what they’re doing right then.

The Innocent or Civilian
Some films include a character who is unaware of the situation, adding to the stakes and tension.

How These Characters Create Suspense

Other methods that contribute to the film's status as a spy film include the relationships between characters and the element of suspense. In a spy film, it is essential that certain characters know the truth, others must know part of the truth, and some do not have any clue. Being a spy movie, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold is largely based on the premise that information is power, and that these types of characters allow for the element of suspense to exist.

How This Informs My Project

This will help with my project in the way that it will help give me more background on the characters. Even though this will be a short film, and I potentially may not have that many characters within my film, knowing that there are different types of characters means that I potentially may just have two or three characters that play a role, and that will be enough to create that tension.

Coming up with our soon to be Spy Thriller Film Research – Alejandra A.

 Purpose of This Research

Additionally, another main genre I researched was spy films. Spy films are well known for their element of secrecy, and given that this would only be a short film, I thought that choosing a film that featured secrecy as an element of suspense would be an intelligent choice. This genre includes the suspense element but does not necessarily require fear or action.

Why Spy Films Fit Thriller Suspense

Many films rely heavily on the uncertainty of the situation or information that is held from characters or audiences. This is the foundation of suspense in many films. However, for the majority of spy films, the audience knows that something is wrong. However, they do not know who to trust or even the full situation. This keeps the audience engaged.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy relies almost exclusively on quiet tension, suspicion and subtle dialogue.The Bourne Identity builds suspense through the mystery and unfolding of what is happening. And then, there’s the movie Skyfall, which makes evident the emotional and suspenseful elements spy films can generate. These examples show that spy films do not need constant action to be effective.

Industry and Audience Data Supporting Spy Thrillers

Looking at further data, spy films are not only considered to be creatively effective, but they are also supported through audience and industry data. When looking at statistics relating to the performance of different genres at the box office from 1995 to 2025, it is evident that thriller/suspense films generally have greater long term success than horror films.

Thriller and suspense films are responsible for 7.4 percent of all box office revenue worldwide, while horror films make up for 6.4 percent of all revenue. While action, drama, and comedy films tend to be among the highest earning genres, thriller suspense films actually have a slightly larger and more consistent following than horror films. In other words, audiences are willing to watch these types of films more often than others.

As spy films fall under the sub-genre of thriller/suspense, this shows how spy based stories are a safer and more effective genre choice.

Spy Film Conventions That Support Suspense

Through my research, I found out that there are several conventions of spy films that make them perfect for the suspense genre. One of the conventions of spy films is limited information. Unlike thrillers, spy films do not always explain everything. This leaves viewers wondering. Another convention of spy films is everyday settings with a hidden danger lurking about. The setting of spy films encompasses everyday places such as the office, the street, the hotel, and the home. Lastly, the last convention tied to intelligence has incredibly high stakes. The suspense comes from the high stakes of each mission. These are the conventions of spy films.

How this Helps My Project

A spy based thriller will allow me to have far more creative control over my project and margin for error than a horror story would. While I have to be mindful to create suspense throughout any story I craft, if suspense is not perfectly executed in any given moment in a spy story, the story can still be engaging. 

For these reasons, I believe that the spy based thriller is the smartest and most realistic option for my project.

Sources

- Binder, Studio. “What Is a Thriller Genre? Definition, Elements, and Examples.” StudioBinder, https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/thriller-genre/. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.-

- “Spy Film.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/art/spy-film. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.

- “Genre Market Share.” The Numbers, https://www.the-numbers.com/market/genres. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.

How do I keep my Thriller-Suspense Audience Happy- Alejandra A.

What I Researched and Why

Thus, the main focus was on determining who watches thriller-suspense films and what people usually expect to see in them. As much as the project film will only be about two minutes in length, I wanted to ensure that it would remain "real" for the genre. Furthermore, I was investigating the strength of the thriller-suspense genre as a choice for this project film, and not just based on personal preference. So, in researching this topic, I delved into audience preference data, film research, and how some of these correlate with what various film resources state the purpose of suspense and thriller films should be.

Audience Data

Based on this genre breakdown above ( a chart of global film production) , thriller films currently represent 12.4% of global film productions, demonstrating that there is both audience demand and financial production backing for these films.

This further exemplifies that thrillers likely represent a large portion of production in films, further suggesting that these types of films continue to be popular for film audiences and the producers and directors of those projects themselves. Additionally, the chart showed that the production of thriller films was currently ahead of genres like romance and horror, further demonstrating the ongoing use of these films.

What Thriller-Suspense Audiences Expect

There are certain general features that audiences for thrill-suspense films want to see on the screen. The writers of StudioBinder describe suspense as uncertainty or excitement about an outcome, often paired with anxious anticipation. It is most commonly used in thrillers.

1. An unanswered question/mood right at the start
   The audience tends to ask “What is happening?” or “What is going to happen next?” Which creates the overall hook that maintains their attention throughout the film, awaiting a proper answer. It's almost a moral condition, feeding the human urge to know and understand the mysteries of life.

2. A sense of risks and stakes
   There must be something important completely jeopardized in that moment. A symbolic stake or risk even if it is small, it needs to matter to the character.

3. Controlled and regulated pacing
   The thriller suspense sub genre constantly uses slower reveals and unrevealed information to build that uneasy tension instead of just rushing into the action.

4. There has to be a Suspense technique, not just plot
   Suspense can come from what the audience knows, what the character does not know, or what is being hidden. StudioBinder highlights that suspense is not the same as shock or surprise. 

5. Mood and atmosphere as a priority
   Producers for these films focus on lighting, framing, and sound design to induce the feeling that something is wrong, even if nothing major has yet happened.

How This Informs My Project Choices

I think this will help because my film will be short, and it’s in the thriller-suspense genre, which data shows is popular so people will enjoy it. I will use the information about genre expectations to ensure that I include what’s necessary. I need to get this right in the first 20 to 30 seconds.

Sources

GWI. “Persona Spotlight: Online TV & Movie Streamers.” GWI, 30 June 2020, https://www.gwi.com/blog/persona-spotlight-online-tv-streamers. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

Morning Consult. “Gen Zers Love Horror Almost as Much as They Love Comedy.” Morning Consult, 12 Dec. 2022, https://pro.morningconsult.com/instant-intel/gen-z-favorite-entertainment-genres. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

StudioBinder. “What Is Suspense: The Elements of Suspense Explained.” StudioBinder, 25 Apr. 2025, https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-suspense-definition/. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

StudioBinder. “Building Suspense with Film Technique.” StudioBinder, 25 Oct. 2020, https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/elements-of-suspense/. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

“The European Media Industry Outlook 2025.” European Commission, 2025, https://www.kreativnievropa.cz/co5fokmmap3aa309/uploads/2025/09/The-european-media-industry-outlook-2025.pdf. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.