Inspired by Techniques used in Iconic Movies to increase suspense, below you’ll find a list of suggestions of how you could use the same or similar techniques in your writing.
Here the Video from WhatCulture which I used as inspiration. The video summarizes all the movies and the techniques used in them.
Envoking Basic Fear
Inspired by: The Exorcist, Adding the Sound of Bees to the Soundtrack.
Similar thing to do in writing: Through Description. Creating images that envoke a primal fear without being completely obvious about it.
Don't Show the Threat (What the Threat is)
Inspired by: Jaws, Not Showing the Shark fully until the Climax.
Similar thing to do in writing: Keep it as ambiguous as long as possible and don’t explain what the threat is or what it wants. This way you can use the reader’s imagination against them.
Follow the principle of having the reader go from knowing nothing to knowing everything.
Zooming in on the Viewpoint
Inspired by: 12 Angry Men, Changing lenses to have progressively closer frame.
Similar thing to do in writing: Slowly go from a more detached/bystander kind of viewpoint to closer and closer to the character and end within the head of the character, having the reader right there with the character when the story is at it’s most threatening.
Writer Doesn't Know What is Going On
Inspired by: IT, Keeping Actors apart from the monster until the filming.
Similar thing to do in writing: With a Writing Partner.
-> One writes the character and the other writes the antagonistic force
-> Writing Process where you react to each other
-> Try writing the characters from first person point of view
Hanging Plotlines
Inspired by: Vertigo, Never explaining how character survived hanging from rooftop.
Similar thing to do in writing:
-> have a plotline early on that resolves but never show or explain how it resolved
-> the plotline has to be one that requires an explanation and for which reader would expect one
-> either don’t give an explanation at all or drag it out as long as possible
Right There in the Middle of the Action with Them
Inspired by: 1917, Single Take Battle Scene
Similar thing to do in writing:
-> present tense voice
-> 1st person narrator/viewpoint
-> 2nd person narrator/viewpoint where the reader is addressed as a character within the story
Something is Off
Inspired by: The Shining, Hotel Layout Makes No Sense
Similar thing to do in writing:
-> from scene to scene jump between time and place without addressing it
-> description: mess with the surrounding, change details randomly without addressing it
Uncanny Valley: Something isn't Quite Human
Inspired by: Blade Runner 2049, Uncanny Valley
Similar thing to do in writing:
-> reactions seem just bit “unnatural” (not human) without explanation
-> mimicking: creatures that imitate the characters but aren’t human
Realistic Danger
Inspired by: Steamboat Bill, JR, Real-Live Threatening Stunts
Similar thing to do in writing:
-> pretend that it is real not fiction
-> add a lot of realism when it comes to details
Tone Mimics Character State of Mind
Inspired by: Uncut Gems, Constant Camera Movement reflects Character’s Agitation
Similar thing to do in writing:
-> narration voice: mimic how the character feels with tone (pacing, choice of words by the narrator, etc. )
Do you have any ideas on how to do any of them differently? Or additional ones? If so, let me know 🙂