Psychological thriller is a sub-genre of the thriller genre and horror genres. Many elements that you would find in both genres are incorporated into this. This genre concentrates a lot on the mind and focuses on the processes in which the mind goes through and how it works. By combining these two genres, the definition changes to a narrative that could change the characters exposed to danger on a mental level rather than a physical one. Characters are no longer reliant on the physical but rather are reliant on their mental resources, whether it is by battling wits with a formidable opponent or by battling for an equilibrium in the characters own mind. Films such as Sixth Sense (1999) and the more recent Vanilla Sky (2001) fit into our chosen genre, however 'Family Ties' will hopeufully add a new dimension to the conventions already evident within the genre.
The plot sees how a family is broken apart by the father's lack of mental stability leading to him blaming his daughter for the breakdown of marriage to his wife and the family unit. As the film progresses the father becomes more and more obsessed that his own daughter is the soul factor for the slow demolishion of his life. We track how his own demons and issues lead to the brutal arrangement of rape and phyiscal abuse to his daughter. Consequently, we see how the daughter becomes vunerable and needs her father with her, therefore allowing for him to regain his postion within the household. Oblivious to the culprit of the crimes, the daughter wants her mother to trust her father again, this leads to the father believing that the destruction of his daughter is the only way for him to be within the family unit once again. The mother develops a life threatening disease and becomes ill for many months and eventually passes away, this pushing the father over the edge and sending his mind into turmoil makes him positive that the daughter's lack of care was the cause of his wife's death. He decides that she needs to be punished and his twisted mind believes that its time for him to "teach her a lesson" and therefore sets out to abuse her humself. However, as he attempts to murder her she fights back and as she picks up a close-by weapon her father's identity is revealed but the consequence of the blow to her fathers head is not. This will leave the audience wondering if the father has been killed.
Key themes within 'Family Ties' will be: obsession; death; paranoia and disturbia of the mind. These themes fit with our genre choice and incorporate some of the key conventions, they therefore will help our ideas be put across and will portray the correct message to our audience who are watching.
Possible directors for 'Family Ties' could include, M.N Shymalan as he directed Sixth Sense and succeeded in creating a psychological thriller that has become extremely popular at the box office. Its interesting key themes and the way the plot was portrayed has helped it to do so. His excellent directorial skills lead to the film recieving six oscar nominations. Another director that could allow for our film to reach its full potential is Quentin Tarentino as he would add the dark, sinister techniques which would allow for the audience to see the father character as we would like them too. Any of these directors would allow for 'Family Ties' to have that unique edge over other films within the same genre and create an individuality about the film.
Looking at the box office takings of Sixth Sense and the extremely positive response to the film, i would hope that 'Family Ties' could achieve the same.
Sixth sense produced $672,806,292 in its lifetime grosses worldwide.
Based on many other films that would be judged in the same way as 'Family Ties' i believe that the expected certification for our film will be 15. This will be suitable for our film as the restrictions within a 15 certified film are parallel with the content of 'Family Ties'.
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