Thriller sub-genres- Nahuel

A thriller is a genre of story, film or play in which suspense and tension is integral. The aim is to mount anticipitaion which leads to mystery by making the viewer feel anxiety about possible outcomes. Thrillers include many sub-genres which have similar elements to other genres. They are:

Action Thriller

Action thriller is a mixture of action and thriller content; it has elements of action implemented onto the thriller method of story telling, but also shares elements of mystery and crime films. It is generally fast-paced, violent and has a definite plot. The plot often revolves around character development and there is usually a heroic figure and a villain.

Conspiracy thriller

A conspiracy thriller (also known as paranoid thriller) have dramatic potential. There is usually some sort of a heroic figure who challenges a theory or confronts a powerful group whose true extent only they recognise. It is likely to have a plot that weaves complexities that only the participants operating in it will understand to the exclusion and implication of everyone else.

Crime thriller

Crime thrillers share elements from both crime films and thrillers. They create suspense and anticipation from the focus on crimes, whether they are failed or succeeding. There is usually more of a focus on the criminal, their issue and the law, than the police. There is often a strong theme of action and the plot is usually in relation to a murder, robbery, chases etc.

Horror Thriller

A horror thriller relies on suspense for the 'scare factor'. It is usually alot more gruesome and the main character is usually in danger and is triumphant against his enemies who are usually an unrealistic evil character.

Disaster thriller

Disaster thriller's plots often focus on a natural or artificial disaster of some sort such as flood, hurricane, earthquake for natural and a nuclear disaster for artificial.

Drama thriller

Drama thrillers are usually slower paced and more suspensful. They focus on character development as well as psychological factors. The plots usually have a twist on the main conflict.

Erotic thriller

It consists of both erotic and thriller themes, and therefore focuses on the relationship between characters in a suspensful manner.

Legal thriller

Its a sub-genre of crime fiction and the major characters are usually lawyers and their employees. These main characters are usually heroic and are confronting the enemies both in and out of the court. This usually results in them being in a position of danger. The legal system is the structure of all legal thrillers.

Medical thriller

Medical doctors or personnel are the main characters in this sub genre and the main conflict is usually the struggle/fight to solve an expanding medical problem. Medical thrillers are often very informative as they can be based on realistic events only exaggerated and embellished for entertainment.

Political thriller

A political thriller is a thriller centered around a political power struggle. The plots vary but usually have a consistent idea in which someone has political power and has opponents who are trying to stop them. The scenarios vary from national to international.

Psychological thrillers

Psychological thrillers borrow elements from both mystery and drama genres. It focuses on the psychology of the characters rather than the plot and in a psychological thriller, the characters are exposed to danger on a mental and emotional level rather than a physical one. They also play into peoples fears inorder to create tension. The suspense also comes from two or more characters preying upon one another's minds. It can also come from a solitary character where conflicts are resolved in their own mind. Deceptive games often heighten the anticipation of a psychological thriller.

Spy thriller

A spy thriller generally features a hero who works for the government who takes violent action against rivals. Spy thrillers often create tension from their fast paced and quick scenes. There is a 'race against the clock' feel to spy thrillers.

Religious thriller

In religious thrillers the plot always has some sort of relation to religious beliefs. Controversy often arises as it may challenge religious teachings or highlight them in a certain way that probes mixed responses. The suspense is created from a combination of conspiracy and psychological tricks. There are also philosophical issues involved.