The feature thriller film Killer Ending breaking the rules of the traditional movie of the week

As a successful commercial television movie director and screenwriter, I set out to challenge the conventions of thriller movies made for television. Traditionally dismissed by critics as formulaic and lacking artistic merit, these "movies of the week" often neglect depth in storytelling. This paper serves as a supporting document for my thesis film, Killer Ending, offering an in-depth exploration of its creation, themes, and impact. By prioritizing complex characters, including a sympathetic antagonist, and exploring themes such as mental health and motherhood, this project sought to elevate the genre. The film’s narrative and visual aesthetics were designed to rival those of feature films, creating a psychological thriller with nuanced character motivations and a female-driven perspective. The process revealed the challenges and triumphs of pushing artistic boundaries within a commercial framework, ultimately earning critical recognition and furthering the discourse on gender representation in televised thrillers.