"Thriller is a broad genre of literature, film and television that includes numerous and often overlapping sub-genres. Thrillers are characterized by fast pacing, frequent action, and resourceful heroes who must thwart the plans of more powerful and better equipped villains... Literary devices such as suspense, red herrings and cliffhangers are used extensively." (Wikipedia)
As mentioned above there are numerous sub-genres of thriller, many of which are combined when making films. The most common sub-genres are noted below:
- Action thriller - Large amounts of special effects and violence; obvious antagonist.
- Conspiracy thriller - Large, powerful group of enemies whose evil is commonly only known to the protagonist.
- Crime thriller - Suspenseful account of crimes; can focus on law enforcement or criminals.
- Disaster thriller - Main conflict is artificial or natural disaster
- Drama thriller - Slow paced; character development; plot twists
- Science-fiction thriller - Sci-fi film with thriller elements
- Horror thriller - Character in danger; must destroy antagonists
- Erotic thriller - Consists of erotica and thriller elements
- Legal thriller - Protagonists confront enemies in and out of the courtroom; life may be in danger
- Medical thriller - Protagonists are doctors fighting a medical problem
- Political thriller - Political power struggles
- Psychological thriller - Conflict is mental and emotional
- Spy thriller - Protagonist is a government agent
- Techno-thriller - Technology described in detail; paramount to audiences understanding
- Religious thriller - Plot is connected to religious elements
- Typically a male protagonist although females are becoming much more widely used. They are usually presented as a normal person who the audience can relate to due to their insecurities and flaws which are often present, despite there obvious heroism.
- The antagonist is often known from the start of the film.
- Heavy use of suspense and tension
