The thriller-action conventions feature a hero stuck in a do-or-die situation. We do the opposite in our movie, however, by making the getaway the narrative rather than the kidnapping itself. Our hero is not merely a victim but is instead someone who's taking steps to get out of a precarious situation. This is all in the thriller genre where dim, claustrophobic places help create the heightened sense of danger. The gloom of the garage that the hero is hiding in enhances the tight-lipped claustrophobic tension, drawing attention to the physical and psychic claustrophobia the subject faces when attempting to flee.
Escape is central to the art of creating tension in thrillers-action. We use close-ups of the face of the main character while waking up disoriented, in order for the spectator to identify with his confusion and fear. His vulnerability and need for urgency are essential in generating the suspense. Instead of focusing on the villainous acts of the bad person, we keep the audience guessing over whether the hero escapes or not, turning the traditional thriller approach around. This makes the actual escape the focus of conflict, replete with tension both physical and emotional.
The tension is heightened since the audience does not know who the bad guy is or why he was abducted. This mystery mirrors the confusion that the hero has, heightening the tension as he tries to escape. We do not tell the audience anything about his situation, which heightens their tension as they see him try to escape.
Finally, the escape theme touches on a universal fear: to be trapped and powerless. Our hero is an ordinary man who finds himself in an extraordinary situation, and the audience can sympathize with his situation. The danger of being held against one's will is something with which most people can identify, and the hero's fight for freedom becomes all the more compelling. By focusing our attention on the escape, we intend to place the audience squarely in the hero's shoes, building tension and drawing them in from the very start.
Conventions of thrillers. Home. (n.d.). https://xeroxproductions.weebly.com/conventions-of-thrillers.html
Guild, S. G. (2023, February 1). Thriller genre: The blending of action, crime, and Horror stories. https://storygrid.com/thriller-genre/