Different types of Thriller openings

Narrative Openings - 

Narrative openings set the scene, introduce characters and vaguely present their situation.

The shining 

The introduction shows a journey to a rural and isolated setting, and because the music is tense and disturbed, this suggests that the setting the car is travelling to will be suspicious and hostile.

Arial tracking shots to track the car show that the character inside the car will be the main protagonist or the villain.

Trainspotting 

This film opening shows the main characters names in text, which is a more direct way of introducing the characters to the audience compared to 'The shining'. also the voiceover is used to create the main character and to portray their emotions.

Multiple scenes give us a sense of the characters life.

Discrete Openings - 

Discrete openings are like separate films to the main film.

Seven

There is disturbing imagery in this opening which implies the genre is Thriller, and rapid movement of the scenes with a distorted effect creates the illusion that it is an old film.

All the shots are close ups of hands and props such as script books, with no facial shots. This makes the opening tense because the audience know they are watching the villain and it is disturbing not to be able to see their faces.

Donnie Darko

This opening begins with titles over a blank screen to introduce the producers, cast and crew.

Narrative elements such as characters and setting are introduced in this opening. 

Sounds of thunder create tension and a creepy setting and the gothic font shows that this film is a thriller.

Stylised editing opening

Stylized openings use sophisticated editing with lots of transitions and effects.

The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009)

This opening uses fast moving imagery, showing the setting as a busy city.

close up shots of main characters with some tracking shots to show we are following these particular character's lives.

Mesrine (2008)

The use of split screen editing on particular characters shows we will be following these people throughout the film as the main characters. The tense music and slow imagery sets the tone for the film to create suspense. Also the small screen view of imagery following the characters allows us to get to know the characters however this opening doesn't focus on much of the setting.