What is a Thriller Film and what are Thriller Sub-genres?

What is a Thriller Film and what are Thriller Sub-genres?

A thriller is a widely expressed genre that is very popular within film, television and literature. Typically a thriller includes certain characteristics that make it identifiable as thriller film. These are:
• The pace of the film is usually quick
• There is a lot of action
• Build up of suspense and the plot is never set in stone
• The audience should be on the edge of their seat wondering what will happen to the characters. Will the good guy beat the bad guy etc?
• The main characters or heroes are usually men however in modern thrillers women are presented as protagonists to a limited extent.
However within the genre of ‘Thrillers’ there are many sub-genres that overlap.

Action Thrillers- An action thriller is a mix of action and thriller content. It generally includes a hero figure and the plot revolves around the characters growth and realization of the enormity of his task. It frequently plays into the audience’s fears but can sometimes be a little far fetched. They can contain a lot of violence and a ‘race against the clock’ mentality. Some of these are:

Crime Thrillers- Crime thrillers are very popular in the film making industry. Crime thrillers are usually full of suspense and generally include a police officer or detective trying to uncover a murder or horrendous crime of some sort. They can include aspects of action thrillers and psychological thrillers.

Conspiracy Thrillers- Conspiracy thrillers can sometimes tie in with political thrillers. It can usually revolve around a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful. Conspiracy thrillers often involve corrupt governments or framed characters trying to clear their name.

Horror Thrillers- these thrillers often conjure up intense feelings of fear and anxiety within the audience and the characters. They often portray the characters as victims facing death and trying to run from it. These thrillers often can include some psychological elements.

Disaster Thrillers- The plot or conflict is caused because of a natural disaster that could not be prevented. It can cause rifts between characters or new relationships to form. In these sorts of thrillers the audience often becomes close to the characters. A lot of the time it uses the illusion that it is a matter of life and death.

Techno Thrillers- A movie in which the excitement of the plot depends in large part on the descriptions of computers, weapons, harmful software, military vehicles and other sorts of machines.

These are just some examples of thrillers, others are
-Drama thrillers
-Eco Thrillers
-Erotic Thrillers
-Leagal Thrillers
-Political Thrillers
-Medical Thrillers
-Psycological Thrillers
-Spy Thrillers
-Supernatural Thrillers

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