Collateral

Collateral is a highly-intense crime thriller that casts Tom Cruise (Vincent) and Jamie Foxx (Max). Suspense is created in Collateral in an early scene where we are introduced to Vincent and Max. Vincent directs Max to a tenement building, and impressed with Max's efficiency, asks him to be his personal chauffeur for his remaining stops. Max reluctantly agrees for extra pay. Minutes later, a body drops onto the cab. Max realizes Vincent killed the man, and unable to escape, he is forced to help Vincent. In this scene the audience is unaware and not expecting anything like this to happen. The suspense is built up as we watch Max in his cab, eating his sandwich and sorting out some papers. The audience is exposed to a normal, tranquil environment which makes the viewer feel safe and calm. After the dead man hits the cab, the audience is more focused and edgy about what is going to happen next. The suspense is also created by the location Max and Vincent are placed in. As it is an abandon building, it makes the viewer suspicious as to where they are and what Vincent is doing here. The lighting also plays a part in the suspense in this thriller, there is minimal lighting in the cab and there is not that much natural light coming from the window as it is dark outside and late at night. This thriller has many elements that help in creating suspense and i feel this is an successful example of a crime thriller.