Unknown (2011)

Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, with writers such as Oliver Butcher & Stephen Cornwell, Unknown is a great example of modern day thriller. Thye film stars Liam Neeson, one of the best thriller actors of our time. Other stars include the talents of Diane Kruger & January Jones.

The film had an estimated budget of around $30,000,000 & was a great success when it hit the big screen on the on the 20th of February 2011, grossing $21,856,389 in the US on it's opening weekend alone, $130,786,389 worldwide as of the 12th of May 2011. 

Unknown makes great use of one of the key factors of the thriller genre, & that is the wonder that is tension. A great example of this is the hospital scene, in which we see Neeson laying on, & tied to, a hospital bed. Weakened, & after having witnessed his captor murder someone infront of him, Neeson attempts to reach for a a pair of scissors in order to cut himself free & escape his rather terrifying predicament. The soundtrack used during this scene is very effective in it's attempt at causing  tension as it uses disorientating sounds to make the viewer feel uncomfortable. The use of a close-up on Neeson's face helps us to see the sheer look of terror he is exhibiting & also blocks out the rest of scene, obscuring our view of how well Liam is doing in his attempt at breaking free, further increasing the amount of tension in the scene as the audience is put out of the loop, being forced in having guess how well Neeson is in his attempt at escape. Some fast editing is used to keep the viewer interested & on the edge of their seat as they anticipate his escape.