What is a thriller?

Problems Raised in Brief

I did not know what a thriller genre film was, I always thought that horror films, were classified as thriller films because you are getting a thrill watching the film. However after researching into thrillers, it has become clear on the differences between horror and thriller genre. In Horror films the plot is mainly about a murder, you do not know who the killer is until the end of the film. Whereas in a thriller film, the plot is about a crime, you usually know who the antagonist is, but you have to go through difficult obstacles to take them down.

What is thriller?

The definition of thriller is fearful excitement. It is highly associated by frequent action and fast movement. Thrillers have been influenced by psychological horror and film noir, to create high levels of suspense and anticipation.

Film noir is a term that was given by french film critics. In 1946 it was applied by the french critic Nino Frank in Hollywood movies. A thriller consists of dark plots and low- key lighting, the lighting adds a vibe of tension. Its goal to keep you 'at the edge of your seats', while the plot assembles to the climax. A thriller has to excite you, make you breathless and exhilarate you, 'if a thriller doesn't thrill it's not doing it's job.' (James Patterson june 2006)

A typical convention of a thriller, is a protagonist that is revolved around a dangerous situation e.g conspiracy, which seems impossible to avoid, he\she has to face obstacles to reach to the antagonist. Over the years women have become leading characters, e.g. Sigourney Weaver's character Ripley in the film Alien (1979). Thrillers commonly are suspenseful, dangerous, fast paced and mysterious. The protagonist (hero) has to make moral decisions, there are car chases, weapons, dramatic music to match the scene and special effects.

There are a variety of characters like Criminals, F.B.I (Federal bureau investigator), psychotic people, mobsters and stalkers.

It has many sub-genres such as: Action thriller, Drama thriller, Eco thriller, Religious thriller, Psychological thriller, Techno thriller, Medical thriller, Crime thriller, Sci-Fi thriller, and Western thriller.

An action thriller is a race against time it contains a lot of violence and an obvious antagonist and protagonist. There are powerful props such as guns and explosions.

A drama thriller has more character development along with the plot twists. It's usually slower paced than an action thriller.

An echo thriller is when a protagonist must mend an environmental calamity while dealing with the antagonist who created it.

A religious thriller is when the plot of the story is attached to religious objects. The problem involves a religious or philosophical disaster. E.g. Da Vinci Code

Techno thrillers involve advanced technology (usually from the military) that goes wrong, e.g. The hunt for the red October.

Psychological thrillers are all about the conflict and past of your mind. Suspense is created by antagonist and protagonist who prey on each others mind. They play mind games, trying to find valuable information that will lead them to their destination.

Medical thrillers are about scientist/doctors who come up with medicine, to help save people's lives, unfortunately the medication transforms into something deadly; changing the characteristics/DNA of people.

Crime thrillers revolve around the criminals, their life, and felonious plans. The main storylines consist of double-cross, murder, rape, drug dealing and robbery.

Sci-Fi thrillers are about scientific experiments that go wrong, causing abnormal and dangerous microorganisms. They can involve problems between aliens and alternative planets.

Most western thrillers are set in the early 19th century. Women are usually in danger and the cowboy must face the hidden agendas of close friends, and finally battle it out to save the young beautiful women.