Sugar, Spice & a Spoonful of Fear: Why Fear is the Secret Ingredient in Every Genre (Part 3: Action, Mystery & Thriller)
- Natasha Langridge-Thorpe
- 3 days ago
- 16 min read
Before diving into part 3, make sure to check out Part 1: Horror, Drama & Romance and Part 2: Comedy, Adventure & Fantasy!
Welcome to the final installment of my three-part blog series on incorporating fear into your stories across various genres. In the first two parts, we explored the terrifying, unseen threats in the horror genre and the suspense-driven pacing of fantasy films.
Fear in Different Genres
In part 3, I will discuss the ways that fear can transform action, mystery, and thriller stories. Whether it's a heart-stopping chase scene, a spine-tingling mystery, or a mind-bending twist that keeps you hooked, fear serves as a fundamental storytelling device that captivates audiences from beginning to end.
Action
In the action genre, fear is clearly evident through the intense, high-stakes situations that keep the audience engaged. Fear in action stories often manifests as immediate threats and relentless chases. It also focuses on the uncertainty of survival. You can portray fear in this genre by using visuals, such as the heart-racing intensity of a ticking clock.
Consider utilising the trope where a single misstep could lead to disaster for the characters. Additionally, you could explore the unyielding tension of a confrontation between the protagonist and antagonist, where the outcome is uncertain.
Incorporating fear into action scripts involves balancing physical thrills with emotional vulnerability. For example, a hero facing overwhelming challenges or a villain whose next move is unpredictable.
Techniques for Writing Fear in the Action Genre
Unpredictability
Introducing the element of surprise can catch the viewer off guard, heightening their emotional reaction and leaving them unsure about what will happen next. Unpredictability can enhance fear in action stories, especially when focusing on the hero's decisions and their consequences.
You can create unpredictability by forcing the protagonist to make gut-wrenching, high-risk choices. These choices can lead to unforeseen consequences that plunge everything into chaos, amplifying the fear for the hero and the audience. Perhaps the hero must choose between saving themselves or rescuing a loved one. Choosing to save their loved one could lead to an unexpected outcome, such as putting their own life at risk or inadvertently trapping themselves in a more perilous situation. The unpredictability of this outcome can instill fear because the hero can't be certain whether their sacrifice will lead to success or disaster.
Unpredictability can also occur when the protagonist makes a bold but ultimately wrong tactical move. For instance, they might believe that they've discovered the ideal escape path, only to find it obstructed at the last minute, leaving them trapped. In this case, the unpredictability comes from the fact that, despite all their skills and training, the hero can't always anticipate what will go wrong.
In Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), Eddie's initial frustration with Venom and Venom's choice to keep pushing them into conflict eventually leads to their separation. It's an unpredictable choice because Eddie doesn't anticipate the consequences, and suddenly, he is left without the symbiote's protection.
As Eddie attempts to mend his relationship with Venom, his fear stems from the unpredictable dynamic between them. He is uncertain about Venom's potential reactions to the tension, especially since Venom can be both a powerful ally and a chaotic force when unleashed.
These moments keep the audience invested in the story because they introduce the unpredictability of choices and their outcomes. When characters make decisions without understanding the full consequences, the audience can feel the weight of each moment, not knowing whether the hero will come out victorious or face further danger.
Escalating Threats
Imagine a scenario where you're terrified of spiders (I don't have to imagine), and you notice a tiny money spider dangling from the ceiling. You could still feel frightened, but as someone who fears spiders, you know that this situation could be worse.
Now imagine hundreds of money spiders dangling from the ceiling. The situation just escalated, and your reaction is likely to be more intense at the sight of multiple spiders compared to just one. To escalate the scenario even more, imagine a massive tarantula appearing right in front of you. Now you're retreating in fear. For someone with arachnophobia, this is probably the worst-case scenario.
(I would insert a picture of a spider here, but I can't bare to even look at pictures of them!) 🕷️
However, escalating threats in your scripts is essential for maintaining a continuous sense of danger. It's important for viewers to feel like the situation is getting worse, which makes the stakes seem more pressing and increases the tension between the protagonist and their fear.
You can successfully escalate threats by introducing a manageable threat that the protagonist can handle without too much trouble. For example, at the start of Inception (2010), Dom Cobb and his team are assigned the task of planting an idea into someone's subconscious. In the initial dream layers, the threats are mostly controlled by the dreamer and the team's ability to manipulate the dream world. At first, it seems manageable, and the characters are confident that they can easily achieve this goal. This makes the audience feel a temporary sense of security.
As the action unfolds, the threats escalate in ways that seem almost impossible to overcome. For instance, the stakes rise as the team delves deeper into the different levels of the dream. The characters face increasingly hostile and armed projections, which serves to heighten the danger.
Intensifying threats creates tangible fear, as characters like Cobb venture into increasingly unpredictable and dangerous environments without a clear escape. This keeps the audience in a state of constant suspense and psychological unease. In the end, the film excites and challenges the audience's perceptions, leaving them with a lingering sense of tension and a desire to unpack the complex narrative.
High-Intensity Action Sequences
Action sequences are fun to watch, but you can add fear to them by focusing on the pacing, sensory details, and emotional stakes. The protagonist might narrowly avoid capture or a life-altering injury. Your main character could dodge bullets by mere inches or confront seemingly unbeatable foes. You could even create moments where escape seems just out of reach.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog films (2020 - Present), numerous scenes depict Sonic narrowly avoiding danger at the last second. Whether it's evading Robotnik's missiles or outsmarting his adversaries with precise timing, these close calls amplify the tension by reinforcing the idea that things could go wrong at any time. Despite Sonic's super speed, the outcome is never guaranteed.
You can continue to add fear to your action sequences by showing the protagonists' growing exhaustion during a battle. When a hero's body starts to fail them, they become more vulnerable, and the stakes of the fight appear more severe. During the fight between Sonic and Knuckles, it becomes evident that Knuckles' strength is taking a toll on Sonic. There's a visible moment when Sonic, despite his best efforts, is physically drained and struggles to match Knuckles' power.
This scene highlights Sonic's vulnerability, which is rarely showcased due to his usual speed and strength. After a few exchanges, Sonic looks visibly exhausted, panting heavily and attempting to regain his strength. These moments of vulnerability raise the stakes of the action sequences, as the audience realises that Sonic won't effortlessly overcome every obstacle. Showing Sonic at his limits adds urgency to the action sequences and makes the outcome less predictable, which generates fear and keeps the audience engaged.
The Villain as a Source of Fear
Villains in the action genre can be a major source of fear if they represent something terrifying beyond their physical power or intellect. Make sure that your antagonist isn't just a one-dimensional obstacle, but a character who deeply unnerves both the protagonist and the audience.
The villain can instill fear by using psychological manipulation. By understanding the protagonist's weaknesses, fears, or past traumas, the villain can cause the hero to doubt their own reality. Fear can stem not only from physical threats, but also from emotional or psychological attacks that leave the protagonist feeling powerless or unstable.
In Angel Has Fallen (2019), Wade Jennings is originally introduced as a trusted ally of the protagonist, Mike Banning. However, as the plot progresses, it becomes clear that he is the mastermind behind the assassination attempt on the president. He manipulates people around him, including Banning, leveraging his influence and resources as a military contractor to execute his dangerous scheme. Banning feels betrayed as he realises that someone he trusted is actively working to destroy him and the President. This betrayal creates a deep sense of fear and vulnerability in both Banning and the audience.
Perhaps your antagonist never gives up, regardless of how often they are defeated. Their persistence creates a sense of inescapability, suggesting that even if the hero wins one battle, the war is far from over. For instance, Jennings goes to great lengths to hunt down Banning, who is framed for the assassination attempt. The relentless pursuit of Banning by Jennings and his team escalates the danger and adds to the tension throughout the film.
Mystery
Mysteries are among my favourite types of stories. I love how the mystery genre explores human nature and keeps the audience guessing about what will happen next. I also enjoy getting the opportunity to play detective, piecing clues together, analysing suspects, and predicting possible outcomes. This genre challenges viewers to question their assumptions and usually rewards them with emotional and intellectual satisfaction.
Incorporating fear into the mystery genre involves striking a balance between suspense, psychological tension, and unpredictability. Nobody likes a predictable mystery. Since a mystery typically revolves around uncovering a concealed truth, the fear in this genre is not always immediate or overt. It's more than just providing shocks or scares; it's about gradually building an uneasy atmosphere. By weaving fear into your mystery narratives, you can develop a story that keeps the audience on edge, questioning the truth and the motives of the characters involved.
Techniques for Writing Fear in the Mystery Genre
Misdirection and Red Herrings
Utilising misdirection to guide the audience down false paths can help you build suspense and fear. When the truth is revealed, these deceptive paths can leave the audience feeling confused or disoriented. A strategically placed red herring can lead viewers to make assumptions that are eventually shown to be incorrect.
You can use this technique by presenting several potential solutions to the mystery, and then you can gradually eliminate them as the investigation progresses. For example, you could introduce a series of suspicious characters or events that appear crucial to solving the mystery. Later, you can disclose that these clues were misleading or irrelevant. This intentional confusion encourages the audience to constantly question everything, maintaining a level of fear and paranoia. The uncertainty about whom to trust serves to heighten the tension.
In Sherlock (2010) “The Hounds of Baskerville” (Season 2, Episode 2), Sherlock and Watson investigate the case of a man who believes that he saw a monstrous hound. The investigation focuses on the frightening appearance of a large, supernatural dog.
At first, the central mystery appears to revolve around a frightening hound that seems to be terrorising people. The hound's supernatural characteristics lead the audience to believe that there may be something otherworldly at play. This is a red herring, as it plays on the audience's assumptions that the case might be linked to folklore or the supernatural. Even Sherlock initially considers the possibility of something strange, though he remains cautious about jumping to conclusions.
Eventually, Sherlock discovers that the gas in the Baskerville lab is capable of causing terrifying hallucinations. The real "hound" is not supernatural; rather, it's a product of psychological manipulation. In this sense, the true fear isn't the hound itself, but the fear that the gas instills. This misdirection through the potential supernatural elements of the case makes the final reveal much more impactful. It also demonstrates how Sherlock uses reason and deduction to navigate through the confusion caused by the red herring.
Building Suspense with Small Clues
In mystery stories, fear frequently arises from the gradual unveiling of information. The audience isn't provided with all the answers immediately, so the build-up of small clues, strange occurrences, and conflicting evidence increases the tension.
This technique involves slowly introducing clues that initially seem puzzling. These might include minor, subtle details like an odd mark on the wall, a strange piece of evidence, or a comment that doesn't add up. This approach will help establish an atmosphere where every piece of new information adds to the fear rather than alleviating it. Each answer leads to more questions, leaving the audience feeling ensnared by the mystery.
In Erased (2016) (my favourite anime!), the protagonist, Satoru Fujinuma, possesses the ability to travel back in time to moments of crisis. He uses this power to attempt to stop the kidnappings and murders of his classmates that occurred during his childhood. The fear and suspense are built through small clues that seem insignificant at first, but eventually become vital parts of the puzzle.
Throughout the series, Satoru comes across pieces of news articles. Initially, they seem unrelated to the central mystery, but as he delves deeper, their importance grows. For instance, he starts identifying patterns in the way the disappearances happened and how they align with the history of crimes in the town. Uncovering these small pieces of the puzzle makes the audience feel more anxious, as it becomes clear that the true scale of the mystery is much larger than originally anticipated.
Erased creates an atmosphere of fear through suspense built on subtle clues, rather than relying on overt threats or scares. The gradual revelation of a sinister truth adds depth to the mystery, with each new detail adding another layer to the narrative. This approach intensifies the fear of what might happen next and adds to the uncertainty of whether Satoru will be able to prevent the tragedies from unfolding.
The Unsolvable Mystery
In some mystery stories, the fear arises from the possibility that the mystery may never be solved, or that uncovering the truth could result in even more dire consequences. The fear lies not just in the unknown, but in the realisation that the answers may never be enough to bring closure.
You can incorporate the unsolvable mystery into your stories by introducing a scenario with no clear solution and ambiguous evidence. Force the characters to confront the reality that some mysteries can't be solved, or worse, the truth is more horrifying than they could ever imagine.
Season one of Whitechapel (2009) begins with a string of copycat murders based on the brutal killings of Jack the Ripper. The fact that the original Ripper case was never solved intensifies the dread that the audience and characters feel as they attempt to solve the modern-day version of this unsolvable puzzle.
The constant references to the 'unsolvable' nature of both the historical and modern murders create an atmosphere of fear and despair. This fear extends beyond the killer, prompting viewers to ask, "What if some mysteries are never meant to be solved?" Whitechapel thrives on this uncertainty, making the investigation feel like an endless cycle of frustration for both the characters and the audience, with no guarantee of closure.
Unexpected Twists
Mystery stories often derive their fear from unexpected twists that subvert the audience's expectations. These twists can reveal that everything the protagonist or the audience assumed was incorrect, leading to shock and fear. You can create unexpected moments by crafting your plot in a way that makes these twists feel organic and justified, rather than forced. For instance, introduce characters or elements that appear to be one thing, only to reveal they are something entirely different when the truth comes out.
Clue (1985), a film based on my favourite board game, focuses on a group of strangers who are invited to a mansion for dinner only to find out that someone among them is a murderer. One of the most notable and unique aspects of this film is that it has three different endings with an unexpected twist. During its theatrical release, viewers were shown one of the endings, but the film was also marketed to include multiple variations. Each ending provided a unique resolution to the mystery, revealing a different character as the killer. The unpredictability of the multiple conclusions enhances the suspense, leaving viewers uncertain about which twist will be unveiled.
Throughout the film, the characters conduct multiple investigations, each pointing towards a different suspect as the murderer. Just when the audience believes they have solved the mystery, the story twists, revealing a new character as the killer. The film does this repeatedly, forcing the audience to reconsider everything they thought they knew.
SPOILER: the video below contains all three endings from Clue
Each time the identity of the murderer shifts, it creates a sense of dread and confusion. The audience starts to fear not just for the characters' safety, but also about the lack of clarity. They might ask questions like "Who can be trusted?" and "Who is the real villain?". The uncertainty about the murderer's identity keeps the mystery alive and it highlights that the situation is more dangerous and unpredictable than anyone initially thought.
Thriller
The thriller genre is one of my favourites, and it's also the genre that I've explored throughout most of my scripts. Crafting fear within thrillers involves creating a sense of tension, dread, and uncertainty. Unlike horror, which often aims to shock or disgust, thrillers focus on psychological intensity and the anticipation of danger. The fear in these stories is often subtle, lurking in the background and building gradually until it consumes both the protagonist and the audience.
When you're writing a thriller, it's crucial to strike a balance between what you reveal on screen and what you choose to keep hidden. By skillfully creating unpredictable environments and using pacing to control emotional highs and lows, you can immerse your audience in a world where danger feels imminent and escape feels impossible. A well-crafted thriller taps into primal emotions, infusing each scene with fear and anticipation.
Techniques for Writing Fear in the Thriller Genre
Play with Point of View (POV)
Fear is often rooted in a loss of control or not knowing what is coming next. By altering the audience's perspective, you can induce a sense of disorientation. This can be achieved by using limited, subjective, and shifting points of view.
Limited POV
This involves only showing what the character sees. If they're walking through a dimly lit room, only show their point of view. The audience remains just as unaware as the protagonist about what could be hiding in the shadows.
Subjective POV
This type of POV uses subjective shots to convey a character's fear. For instance, blurry vision or a dizzying camera angle can reflect their internal panic.
Shifting POV
Switching between the protagonist's and antagonist's perspectives can create the impression that the protagonist is being watched or stalked. This heightens the tension as the audience knows that the danger is closing in.
Death Note (2006) frequently shifts between the perspectives of the two central characters: Light Yagami and L. This technique allows the audience to understand each character's motivations, intelligence, and strategies. It also serves as an effective narrative device that heightens tension, creates suspense, and taps into the psychological undercurrents of fear.
The alternating perspectives keep viewers in suspense, unsure whether Light's plan will succeed or if L will catch him. This dynamic keeps the audience invested, as both characters possess their own strengths, making the outcome terrifyingly unpredictable.
Use Pacing to Build and Release Tension
You can gradually build tension by giving your characters time to become aware of an impending threat. Following a slow build-up, you can introduce abrupt, rapid shifts in pacing. For example, a sudden noise, an unforeseen event, or a shocking twist can startle the audience and release the tension. Additionally, you could let the audience believe that the danger is over or that the threat is under control, only to reveal that the situation is more dire than anticipated.
In the first episode of Season 1 of Squid Game (2021), the pace starts slowly as the players are introduced to the arena and the rules are explained. The initial calm and almost playful nature of the "Red Light, Green Light" game deceives both the players and the audience into feeling a false sense of security.
As the game begins, the characters take cautious steps, and the camera focuses on their nervous expressions, heightening the sense of anxiety. The slow, methodical movements of the players, combined with the abrupt halt when the robot doll calls out "Red Light," create a sharp contrast between the tension of the game and the sudden violence that follows. The slow pace of the players' movements and the robot's fixed gaze create a slow burn, adding to the fear of making the wrong move. The shift in pace, from calm to chaotic, leaves a strong emotional impact on the viewers, making them fearful for the players’ lives.
Sensory Details
Incorporating sensory details related to touch, sound, or appearance can deeply engage the audience in the protagonist's fear, making them feel the danger on a visceral level.
For instance, you could add unsettling sounds to your script, such as distant footsteps, a creaking door, or the eerie hum of a broken appliance. You could also explore visual elements that evoke fear, like shadows or unsettling imagery such as bloodstains and broken glass. Additionally, you could convey physical sensations such as cold sweats, trembling hands, or the feeling of being watched to make the audience experience fear alongside the protagonist.
In The Glory (2022), Yeon-jin tortures Dong-eun by pressing a hot curling iron against her skin. The noise of the iron touching Dong-eun's skin acts as an auditory cue, making her physical suffering seem much more intense. The sound compels the audience to imagine the physical sensation of the burn, making the scene all the more disturbing and uncomfortable to watch.
Dong-eun's screams and cries of pain add to the sensory experience of the torture. The emotional weight of her screams adds a layer of fear and further connects the audience to her suffering.
This scene conveys not only the physical agony but also the psychological horror of being completely powerless and at the mercy of ruthless abusers. Ultimately, this scene sets the stage for Dong-eun's transformation and ignites her quest for vengeance, a central theme throughout the show.
Unsettling Conclusion
Even if your thriller concludes with the protagonist defeating the antagonist, leaving a lingering sense of fear can create a lasting impact. For instance, you could consider ending the story with unanswered questions or the possibility of ongoing danger. This keeps the audience unsettled long after the story concludes.
In Episode 2 of Alice in Borderland (2020), Arisu and Karube participate in a game of tag. This game involves evading two armed attackers while searching for a room containing two buttons that must be pressed simultaneously to stop a bomb from detonating. What makes this game truly disturbing is the revelation that death is the penalty for losing, not just elimination. From Episode 1, the audience is already aware that the show doesn't shy away from the brutal consequences, and the harsh reality of the game establishes the psychological and emotional toll that will unfold.
Arisu and Karube's survival depends not only on their physical ability, but also on their ability to make quick, life-or-death decisions. This game creates a grim reality where no one can escape the deadly stakes. The combination of an extreme scenario, psychological tension, and shocking twists creates a persistent feeling of anxiety and dread, making the final outcome feel both inevitable and profoundly unsettling.
In this sense, Alice in Borderland effectively taps into the heart of the thriller genre, leaving viewers with chilling reflections on morality, survival, and the value of human life.
Fear: A Blend Action, Mystery & Thriller
Fear fuels tension, stakes, and suspense. Ultimately, it keeps audiences emotionally hooked. Whether it's high-risk choices, creeping dread, or psychological unease, effectively portraying fear comes from understanding what your characters are afraid of and when to escalate it. Use fear to raise questions, reveal vulnerabilities, and drive both plot and audience to the edge of their seats.
Fear is the secret ingredient in the recipe for a gripping story. So, what are your characters afraid of? Stir it in and see what tension you can cook up!
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