WHAT IS A THRILLER ?

By Fahad Nazor

Definition:

The basic definition of a thriller is- a broad genre of literature, film, and television programming that uses suspense, tension and excitement as its main elements. Thrillers heavily stimulate the viewer's moods, giving them a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, surprise, anxiety and/or terror. Films of this genre tend to be adrenaline-rushing, gritty, often gruesome, can be very scary, but always rousing and fast-paced,. Thrillers are now one of the biggest, most successful and famous movie genre’s to ever be invented.

Common Subgenres and ‘types’…

The thriller genre itself can actually be divided and categorized into several different types, also known as subgenres, because of how broad and how expanded its elements and characteristics can actually be. These different types include:

 psychological thrillers, crime thrillers, erotic thrillers, mystery thrillers, action thrillers, disaster thrillers, eco thrillers, forensic thrillers, legal thrillers, medical thrillers, political thrillers, mystery thrillers, religious thrillers, romantic thrillers, spy thrillers, supernatural thrillers and techno thrillers.

(main and most recognized ones highlighted in bold).

Subgenres explained 1:

Subgenres explained 2:

Examples:

These are just a few famous examples for the main and most recognized types of thrillers in the film industry…

Psychological Thrillers – ‘Seven’, ‘Inception’ & ‘The silence of the Lambs’

Crime Thrillers- ‘Reservoir Dogs’ & ‘Pulp Fiction’Disaster Thrillers- ‘Twister’ & ‘Armageddon’Supernatural thrillers- 'The Sixth Sense‘ &

‘Carrie’Action Thrillers- ‘The Dark Night’ ‘Inside Man’Mystery Thrillers- ‘Vertigo’ & ‘Code Blue’

Main themes within Thrillers:Thriller Film is a genre that revolves around anticipation

and suspense. The aim for Thrillers is to keep the audience alert and on the edge of their seats. The protagonist in these films is set against a problem – an escape, a mission, or a mystery. No matter what sub-genre a Thriller film falls into, it will emphasize the danger that the protagonist faces. The tension with the main problem is built on throughout the film and leads to a highly stressful climax.

You may also find that the horror and action genres often overlap with the thriller genre. Thrillers tend to be psychological, threatening, mysterious and at times involve larger-scale villainy such as espionage, terrorism and conspira.cy

Themes continued…listed

Darkness Fright Danger Problems that need solving Mysteries Good and evil or Powerful vs. Vulnerable

battle Antagonists & Protagonists Death, blood & violence Action packed Big ‘Halloween’ style base element

Common Key Characters found in Thrillers: