Thriller Sub-Genre's

I already explored the basic conventions of the Thriller genre, but I was further tasked with exploring four Thriller genre's. 

Psychological Thrillers

Firstly I looked at Psychological Thrillers, which usually follow narratives with domestic settings which thrills are provided through the physiologies of the main characters and the situations that they are thrown into.

Themes: Identity/Perception/Mystery

Conventions: Frightening characters/Death/Crime

Example: (The Silence of the Lambs, 1991)

Action Thrillers

I took a look at Action Thrillers which is a sub-genre that I really enjoy watching. Action Thrillers are usually films featuring a race against the clock, lots of violence and fights, and a clear antagonist.

Themes: Conflict/Good vs Evil/Fighting

Conventions: Fights/Strength/Chases

Example: (Nobody, 2021)

Crime Thrillers

I looked at the popular sub-genre of Crime Thrillers, often films that offer a suspenseful account of crimes with narratives that often focus on the (acts of) criminals.

Themes: Murder/Crime

Conventions: Investigation/Death/Police

Example: (Joker, 2019)

Supernatural Thrillers

The Supernatural Thriller genre usually revolves around the involvement of otherworldly elements, such as fantastical monsters of the supernatural. 

Themes: Power/Unknown/Fear

Conventions: Monsters (Creatures)/Disappearance/Death

Example: (Stranger Things, 2016-)

What is the difference between a Horror Film and a Thriller Film? 

Horror and Thriller films both have different intentions for the audience. A horror film always has the intention of scaring the audience, whilst a thriller film usually focuses on the intention of keeping the audience on-edge and constantly curious. Whilst horror films will sometimes have a mysterious threat, there are usually very obvious threats to the main characters, weather this is zombies, killers or supernatural entities, etc. However, thrillers will usually aim to keep the threat hidden and clouded for as long as possible to maintain that "on-edge" feeling for the audience. As well as this, Horror films may have back and forth moments between the protagonists and antagonists, for example a heroic character might make a stand against the evil putting them at risk. Thrillers however, usually maintain constant an unpredictable tension between protagonists and antagonists.

What should an audience expect when watching a Thriller?

- Moments of high-stakes and tension

- Moments of heightened anticipation 

- Feeling on wonder

- Constant thought of "What? Who? When? Why?"