Mystery? Thriller? Do You Know the Difference? If Not, Your Screenplay Gets a Pass

Summary

This video emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between mystery and thriller stories to meet audience expectations. It highlights the differences in protagonist goals and audience knowledge in each genre, with mysteries focusing on solving puzzles (who, what, where) and thrillers revolving around how the protagonist achieves their goals. The video stresses that delivering the correct type of tension—be it intellectual in mysteries or emotional in thrillers—is key to maintaining audience engagement. Additionally, it discusses the typical structure of these stories, where the second act defines the genre, and the third act often includes thriller elements.

Takeaways

• 🕵️‍♂️ It's essential to understand the difference between mysteries and thrillers to avoid disappointing your audience.
• 🤯 Readers get frustrated when a story starts as one genre but shifts unexpectedly to another.
• 🔍 In mysteries, the protagonist acts like a detective, solving a puzzle based on 'who,' 'what,' 'where,' or 'when.'
• 🎯 The main goal in a thriller is personal to the protagonist, who is often a victim or criminal, and the focus is on 'how' they achieve their goal.
• 🎭 There are three types of tension: (1) the audience knows as much as the protagonist, (2) the audience knows more than the protagonist, and (3) the audience knows less than the protagonist.
• 🕵️ In mysteries, the audience usually learns information alongside the protagonist, solving the puzzle together.
• ⚡ Thrillers rely on the audience knowing less than the protagonist, heightening suspense as they see obstacles the protagonist doesn’t.
• 📖 A mystery is solved by the end of the second act, while a thriller focuses on the protagonist's struggle to complete their quest, which may last through the third act.
• 🎬 Many movies, like *Silence of the Lambs* (mystery) and *John Wick* (thriller), showcase how different genres influence audience engagement.
• 💡 Combining mystery and thriller elements can work, especially when the second act is a mystery, and the third act turns into a thrilling resolution.

Q & A

What is the key difference between a mystery and a thriller?

The main difference lies in the protagonist's goal: mysteries focus on 'who' (who committed the crime, who is the victim, etc.), while thrillers focus on 'how' (how the protagonist will escape, how they will accomplish their task).

What type of tension is most common in mystery stories?

In mystery stories, the audience is typically on equal footing with the protagonist, meaning they learn information as the protagonist does. This is called A = C tension.

How does a thriller typically handle audience knowledge compared to a mystery?

In a thriller, the audience often knows less than the protagonist but more than the supporting characters. This type of tension, where the protagonist knows more than the audience, is common in thrillers.

What makes a mystery more intellectual than a thriller?

Mysteries are more intellectual because they focus on solving puzzles and riddles, which require careful thinking and attention to details. Thrillers, by contrast, are more about emotional engagement and action-driven plot progression.

Why is it important to distinguish between mysteries and thrillers in storytelling?

It's crucial because mismatched expectations can disappoint the audience. If you set up a story as a mystery but deliver a thriller (or vice versa), the audience may feel misled and dissatisfied.

What role does dramatic irony play in thrillers?

Dramatic irony in thrillers arises when the audience knows something that the protagonist doesn't, creating suspense and tension as the protagonist moves towards danger without full knowledge of it.

Why is it recommended to include reversals or twists in mystery stories?

Reversals or twists keep the audience emotionally engaged in what is otherwise an intellectual experience. They make the protagonist (and audience) re-evaluate their assumptions, which increases intrigue.

How does the structure of a mystery differ from a thriller in the second and third acts?

In a mystery, the second act is focused on solving the puzzle (the 'who' or 'what'), and the third act often shifts to a thriller where the protagonist must escape or confront the antagonist. In thrillers, both the second and third acts focus on 'how' the protagonist will achieve their goal.

Can a story blend both mystery and thriller elements?

Yes, many stories blend both. For example, a mystery can transition into a thriller in the third act, where the protagonist must act on the information they've uncovered in the mystery portion.

What is the significance of the protagonist's goal in distinguishing between mysteries and thrillers?

In mysteries, the protagonist is primarily driven by the need to solve a puzzle, while in thrillers, the protagonist’s goal is often personal, such as survival, revenge, or completing a mission, making the stakes more immediate and emotionally driven.