Iconography used in Supernatural Thrillers.

Symbolism or iconography can play a very important part of a supernatural thriller's plot, as it can foreshadow a twist in the film's storyline, or have underlying significance or meaning to what is trying to be portrayed to the audience. 

Iconography of supernatural thrillers can include props, characters and symbols that have become associated with typical conventions of that genre.

Typical props of Supernatural thrillers often include weapons that the protagonist of the film may be either threatened by or use will in order to defend themselves, adding adrenaline and tension to the plot. 'Weapons' in the case of supernatural thrillers can either take the typical form of guns and knives, or can take more unconventional forms, such as spells, witchcraft or paranormal machinery.  For example, weapons such as rifles are used in 'Gothika', whereas alien machinery and curses are featured in films like  'The Grudge' and 'War of the Worlds'. 

'Gothika'

'War of the Worlds'

In terms of symbolism, supernatural thrillers often are shot with low, dark lighting, lit only with candles. This suggests that characters are often left 'in the dark' as they try to uncover a mystery effecting their lives, as well as insinuating mystery and an element of fear to the audience.

References to religion are often apparent in supernatural thrillers, with the inclusion of crosses or churches in the film or even a heavily religious character that could either aid or be against the antagonist of a film, depending of the portrayal of religion in the film. For instance, films such as 'The Conjuring' portray religion positively, as it is used to drive away the presence of an evil spirit on a family, however in films such as 'Carrie' portray it in a negative and fearful light, with the protagonist being the heavily religious and the mother of Carrie, the main role in the film's plot. References to religion in these types of ways usually appear in supernatural thrillers because religion and the existence of God is often considered a great mystery within society that can affect people in different ways, therefore fits the convention of supernatural thriller.

'The Conjuring'

'Carrie'