There is a lot of debate in the thriller writing community about objective points of view. Some people swear by it, while others think it’s a waste of time.
In this blog post, we will examine the pros and cons of both sides of the argument and give our opinion from an objective point of view.
What is the objective point of view, and how is it used in thrillers?
When you’re reading a story from the objective point of view, you are essentially seeing everything that happens through the eyes of a fly on the wall. You aren’t privy to any character’s thoughts or feelings, so everything is a suspenseful mystery.
For example, A young woman’s husband has been abducted, and she sets out to rescue him. She knows he’s being held somewhere across deep waters, so she bravely sets out in a small boat.
However, as she navigates through treacherous waves and stormy weather, you, the reader, have no idea what will happen next. Will she reach her husband in time? Will they be able to escape? You won’t know until she does.
The pros of using an objective pov in thrillers
The objective point of view can be a very effective way to tell a story. It allows readers to see all the action and get inside the character’s head, making for a suspenseful and thrilling read.
Here are examples of well-known thrillers using the objective viewpoint:
A great thriller that uses this view effectively is Taken. In this movie, Liam Neeson plays a father who sets out to rescue his daughter after she’s been kidnapped and taken to Paris. Again, we experience all the suspense and excitement from the protagonist’s perspective, making for a thrilling ride.
In Rear Window by Alfred Hitchcock, the plot follows Jeffries (played by James Stewart), a wheelchair-bound photojournalist who becomes obsessed with watching his neighbours through the rear window of his apartment. Then, one night, he witnesses what appears to be a murder and must work to solve the crime. This film is shot almost entirely from Jeffries’ point of view.
Another thriller that uses the objective point of view to significant effect is Lifeboat by Alfred Hitchcock. The plot follows a group of survivors stranded in a lifeboat after a German U-boat torpedoed their ship.
The cons of using objective pov in thrillers
The downside of this point of view is that it can be challenging to maintain. If done poorly, it can feel like you are reading a police report or a dry account of events. Therefore, finding the right balance between objective reporting and showing the characters’ emotions is essential.
Additionally, because readers are not privy to any character’s thoughts or feelings, it can be challenging to create a connection with them.
For example, let’s say you are writing about a character being chased by a killer. If you are too objective, it might read like this:
The killer was close behind her. She could hear his heavy breathing as he ran. She was getting tired and knew she couldn’t keep this up much longer.
While this does give the objective facts of what is happening, it doesn’t give us any insight into the character’s emotional state. We don’t feel her fear or desperation. A more balanced approach might be something like this:
The killer was close behind her, and she could hear his heavy breathing as he ran. She was getting tired and knew she couldn’t keep this up much longer. Her heart was pounding in her chest, filled with terror as she thought of being caught.
This gives us enough objective information to know what is happening and gives us a sense of the character’s emotional state. We feel her fear and desperation along with her.
Here are a few examples of thrillers using objective pov that didn’t turn out well:
For instance, the movie The Abyss was touted as an edge-of-your-seat thriller, but many people were disappointed with the ending when it came out.
Another example is the movie Cliffhanger, which was supposed to be a heart-pounding thriller about a group of hikers stranded on a cliff. But again, the ending left many people feeling let down.
Another example is the movie 127 Hours, which was based on the true story of Aron Ralston, who became trapped under a boulder while canyoneering in Utah and had to amputate his arm to free himself. Unfortunately, while it was an exciting story, it didn’t quite meet the audience’s expectations.
So why do these sorts of movies often fall short? One reason is that they rely too heavily on suspense and thrills rather than on developing characters and storylines that people can invest in. As a result, when the big finale comes, and things are finally revealed, it can often seem like a letdown.
How to decide if the objective point is the right choice for your thriller
If you’re on the fence about this, here are a few things to consider:
– How important is it for readers to understand the inner thoughts and feelings of your characters?
– Are there specific scenes or sequences where it’s more important for readers to feel like they’re in the thick of the action rather than just observers?
– How objective do you want your narrator to be?
In general, objective pov can be an excellent choice for thrillers because it allows readers to experience the story viscerally. However, it’s not the only option; ultimately, it’s up to you as the author to decide what will work best for your story.
If you’re unsure, why not try writing a few scenes from different points of view and seeing which one feels more natural to you? Whatever you choose, ensure that your readers are always in mind. Establish the point of view, and once you have chosen a first-person narrator, don’t switch to another.
Objective pov can create a sense of suspense and unease in the reader as they are never quite sure what will happen next. It can also help to ramp up the tension if done well. However, it’s important to remember that objective pov does not mean detached or emotionless. Your narrator should still be engaging and exciting, even if they are not the one experiencing the events of the story firsthand.
Examples of thrillers that use and don’t use objective pov
– The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins is an excellent example of a thriller that uses this pov effectively.
– Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is another thriller that uses this pov significantly.
– However, not all thrillers use an objective pov. For example, in The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, the narrator is not accurate – she is highly emotional and involved in the story’s events.
– The Shining by Stephen King is another example of a thriller that does not use an objective pov.
Other genres that could benefit from using objective pov
– Historical fiction – Imagine reading a novel about the Revolutionary War where you are right there with the soldiers, feeling the heat of battle and the fear of injury or death.
– Biographies – It would be fascinating to read a biography told from the perspective of the person being written about. You would get a unique perspective on their lives and their thoughts and feelings about events as they happened.
– Romance – Objective pov could add an interesting dynamic to a romance novel, as readers would be able to see both the inner thoughts of the hero and heroine as they navigate their way through a complicated relationship.
– Action-adventure – The accurate view would give readers a thrilling feeling of being with the protagonist as they risk their lives to save the world or defeat the villain.
Another example could be a war story that focuses on the heroism of ordinary soldiers rather than commanders or generals.
Many genres could benefit from the objective point of view, but it seems particularly well-suited to stories with high stakes and adventure elements.
For example, a group of scientists must stop artificial intelligence from taking over the world. By putting the reader in action, they can feel more connected to the story and its characters.
The future of objective and subjective points of view
The end of thrillers lies in a balance of both accurate and personal points of view. On the one hand, objective elements like suspenseful plotting and intense action will always be crucial. On the other hand, subjectivity allows readers to connect with the characters and feel fully invested in their journey.
For example, imagine a story where a young woman rescues her abducted husband across deep waters. Such a plot would be inherently suspenseful, but it would be even more so if we saw it through the eyes of the protagonist. We would feel her fear, determination, and hope as she wrestles with the odds stacked against her. It would be an edge-of-your-seat experience.
Now, let’s imagine the same story from an objective point of view. We would still see the suspenseful plot and intense action, but we would not feel as connected to the protagonist. We might feel sympathy for her, but it would not be easy to empathize with her because we would not be experiencing her emotions firsthand.
It depends on the preferences of the author and the readers. Some readers prefer an objective point of view because it allows them to make their judgments about the characters and events.
In contrast, others prefer a subjective point because it creates a more immersive experience by putting the viewer directly into the scene. Viewers will feel as though they are right there alongside the character, experiencing everything he or she is experiencing. This can make for a much more intense and terrifying experience!
Is the third person objective the same as the objective viewpoint?
There’s a lot of confusion about the difference between the third-person objective and objective point of view. Let’s clear things up.
The third-person objective is not the same as the objective point of view. In the third person objective, the narrator is detached and does not reveal the thoughts or feelings of any character. This means that the reader can only infer what is happening based on what is happening in the story.
Meanwhile, in the objective point of view, the narrator remains unbiased and impersonal and only reports events as they happen without revealing any characters’ thoughts or feelings.
In conclusion
So, what’s the verdict? An objective point of view is a powerful tool that you can use to create thrilling suspense in your thriller novel. It has pros and cons, but when used correctly, it can result in an edge-of-your-seat read.
If you’re thinking of using objective pov in your thriller, make sure you understand the implications and are ready for the challenge. Thriller readers are always looking for something new and exciting, so don’t stop experimenting with this point of view. Who knows—you may create the next big thing in thrillers!
If you’re working on your first novel and are looking for more help with your writing, please check out my other articles at https://ullahakanson.com/blog/
Happy writing!
Ulla