Thriller Genre

By Harriet Hunt

Examples of Thriller/ Horror films I will relate to…

• The Purge• The Cabin in the woods• 28 weeks later• Sleeping with the enemy

• Seven • Silence of the Lambs • The black swan• Only God Forgives

Thriller is a genre of literature, film, and television programming that uses suspense, tension, and excitement as its main elements. These are types of films known to promote intense excitement, suspense, a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, anxiety, and nerve-wracking tension.

Sub Genres

Psychological ThrillerIn addition to the traits of a regular Thriller, a Psychological Thriller incorporates elements of drama and mystery film. The suspense in this sub-genre comes from the mind, rather than from a psychical threat. The protagonists in Psychological Thrillers must rely on their mental resources to solve the situation. Because of their nature, many Psychological Thrillers cross over into the Horror genre.

Other thriller sub genres… • Comedy Thriller

• Crime thriller

• Conspiracy thriller

• Supernatural thriller

Common features of Thrillers…

• The heroes in most thrillers are frequently "hard men" accustomed to danger: law enforcement officers, spies, soldiers, seamen, or pilots. However, they may also be ordinary citizens drawn into danger by accident. While such heroes have traditionally been men, women have become increasingly common.

• While a mystery climaxes when the mystery is solved; a thriller climaxes when the hero finally defeats the villain, saving his own life and often the lives of others. In thrillers influenced by film noir and tragedy, the compromised hero is often killed in the process.