Sub genres

 sub-genre

A thriller genre is a type of film that has been categorised in to a genre that literally 'thrills' an audience member. It is made up of suspense and tension to shock the audience and frighten them. however it is not the same as a horror genre, as thrillers don't contain as much gore and they have a greater intention to scare the viewer. Where as thrillers usually have a better and more complicated plot or narrative for the audience to follow as the suspense is built up over a longer period of time, they are sometimes even more action packed or crime based rather then a murderer who kills but has no means of sanity as to why he or she does it.

Some examples of what makes a thriller a thriller is that:

1) They hold suspense for alot longer then other genre's.

 2) Their plots are sometimes complicated and fit in a lot about the background of the situation, leaving the audience questioning the outcome, so that they can make their own summary before it is revealed at the end and the climax of the film.

3) They can create tension and suspense for the audience without using gore or frightening jumps of attack to change the pace dramatically. They usually have more action packed scenes in them and more of the crime behind a killer rather then just the killer and his or her victims. 

Many conventions of a thriller include:

• Music and soundtracks that are non-diegetic are often used to be parallel and compliment the build up of tension, therefore adding more to the suspense as the audience is the only one that can hear it, so they feel alone and it is unnerving.

• There is usually a battle between characters or a fight scene. This is used to build suspense and danger for the character that is the hero in this scenario, so the audience strive for his or her survival.

• low key lighting is also used, as this makes the audience member unsure of what their seeing and if neither themselves or the character of the film can see whats going on then they feel weak in this situation as it puts them in the character shoes.

• Quick cuts can also be a used as a convention in thriller films, especially within action scenes as it builds up the pace of the movie, therefore building up the suspense towards the climax of the scene.

Sub-genres of thrillers:

A Crime thriller- These kind of films capture both the suspense and more importantly the crime and background behind the story and the reason for it. The central topics of these films usually involve a serial killer or murderer and the 'heroes' of the scenario, this being the lawyer, or a person of importance from the police force that tries to solve the case. Examples of films that fit into this sub-genre are; Seven, No country for old men, Silence of the lambs and the Killing.

Psychological thriller- This usually involves  a conflict or argument between the main characters mental and emotional state, rather than physical. Characters, either by accident or other reasons, are dragged into a dangerous situation that they are not prepared to resolve yet or not at all. The characters of the film are not reliant on physical strength to overcome their enemies, but rather are reliant on their mental state and resources. Examples of this; Flightplan, Straw dogs, Shutter island and Phone booth.

Political Thriller- This is where the main character or the less major characters have some role of importance in the survival of the governments reputation and stability. Examples of this are; state of play and the ghost writer.

Legal thriller- A film in which employed lawyers or roles of importance in that industry have the role of following the system of justice and undermining enemies that want to go against justice. Examples of this genre are; The lincoln lawyer, hostile witness, presumed innocence and silent witness.