Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window

“Thriller,” just like Michael Jackson’s hit song, has become one of the most popular genres amongst movie audiences. The thriller genre consists, “…of films known to promote intense excitement, suspense, a high level of anticipation…anxiety and nerve-wracking tension” (Tim Dirks). Thriller movies take viewers on an emotional rollercoaster ride by making them unsure of what will happen next and whether or not the main character will complete their goal. One of the most influential directors in the thriller genre was Alfred Hitchcock. Since the start of his career 1927, Hitchcock directed many thriller movies, such as Rear Window, and soon became known as the, “auteur master of the thriller or suspense genre” (Tim Dirks). Due to his incredible

Jeff Jefferies is a middle-aged man played by James Stewart. Stewart was a famous actor during this time and worked with Hitchcock before. With Hitchcock and Stewart’s creditable reputations, Rear Window was sure to be a success. Although very popular in the 1950s, the mature main character of Rear Window is not as relatable to the current audiences attending movies. Teenagers are the ones who are filling up the seats at the movie theaters rather than the older population that would go the the theaters during Hitchcock’s time. Jeff’s maturity in age may have been good for attracting the audiences back then, but during modern times, he appeared unreliable to the new audiences in movie theaters. In Disturbia, a younger version of James Stewart was recreated by casting a younger actor as the hero. Kale Bretcht is a teenage boy played by Shia LaBeouf. During the beginning of the 2000s, LeBeouf was one of the most popular young actors within the culture of teenage television. The actor’s young age affected the character of the hero by making him into a troubled teen that people would not take seriously. He was the perfect actor to play the role of a modernized version of Jeff. He would be relatable to the younger audience and would attract his large fan base to the film. Hitchcock and Caruso were directors, who gained inspiration from the social standards and trends of their time. By changing the villain, the heroine and the hero of Disturbia, Caruso

Jeff attempts to inform Detective Lt. Thomas J. Doyle that Mrs. Thorwald is not on vacation, but was murdered by her husband. Without any proof, the detective dismisses Jeff’s allegations and belittles Jeff for listening to Lisa. Nevertheless, Jeff and Lisa determination for the truth causes Mr. Thorwald to try and kill Jeff. This ultimately leads to Lars being arrested and confessing to the murder of his wife. Similarly, Kale tries to tell the police that Mr. Turner is the serial killer from the news. They disregard the teenager’s claim and bring him home, but that does not stop Kale. His determination to protect his loved ones and reveal the true identity of Mr. Turner cause Kale to violate his house probation. He runs over to Mr. Turner’s house in search of his mother who has been taken by the murderer. While searching throughout his neighbor’s house, Kale comes face to face with the killer. The two fight and Kale pierces Mr. Turner with garden shears and throws his body into a pit of other dead bodies. Once the police arrive, it is clear that Kale was telling the truth the whole time. Each film features a main character whose determination proved the guilt of a murderer and showcased the theme of