Key Plot Feature in a Thriller Opening

A common feature of modern thriller films is a key plot point in the opening sequence that is key to the rest of the film. This plot point will often be a death of a character, a key phrase, a reveal (of anything) or maybe even an explosion.

My first example will be the one that will take the most explaining, the opening sequence to the newest addition to the James Bond film franchise: SKYFALL

BEWARE YE, OF THE SPOILERS BELOW...

The basic plot we are given so far is that the bad guy has stolen a hard drive which contains the information on every NATO member that is currently undercover. Naturally, MI6 wants it back and so have sent Bond to 're-acquire' it. After some happy fun times involving motorbikes, bullets and naturally a digger 'digging' a train, we get to a point where Bond is fighting said villain, atop said train, atop an un-said bridge. Minimising lesser spoilers, bond is shot and falls to his apparent death. This is a major plot twist that has repercussions throughout the rest of the film and acts as a tone setter for the film.

Unfortunately i am unable to provide a clip of the opening due to its recent release in cinemas, but the above plot is correct due to it being fresh in my memory.


Second example: The Dark Knight

I apologise for frequently using this film but it is in my eyes one of the best in most aspects of a thriller.

We open with a view of Gotham, we are shown a robbery taking place by some henchmen in clown masks who are revealed to be working for The Joker due to one of them stating ''I know why they call him The Joker''. After the henchmen kill each other off (orders from The Joker) the last one is spoken to by a bank worker he has injured, at this point in time this henchman is un-remarkable, he hasn't spoken, he hasn't kill anyone obvious and he hasn't done anything grand. Our whole view of him drastically changes when it is revealed that he is The Joker. This is the major plot twist as it sets the tone for the films main antagonist and provides an insight into how his character works.




I probably don't need to spoil anymore films by giving examples but they all share a same trait. Every bit of plot that they reveal plays a significant part on either the characters or the story throughout the rest of the film.