Thriller Genre

Thrillers
Thrillers are a specific genre of film, television and literature which include aspects of suspense, tension and emotion. Also there is always an aura of mystery which gives the plot a focus. The plot steers the storyline to a climax near the end which usually sees a dangerous and life threatening situation.

'The Shining' 1980
Horror thriller

Sub-genres
There are a lot of sub-genres which derive from thrillers, but incorporate a different approach in storyline and setting. Here are a few examples but there are many more:

• Action/Adventure thrillers
• Disaster thriller
• Historical thriller
• Medical thriller
• Religious thriller
• Serial killer thriller
• Technological thriller
• Psychological thriller
• Crime thriller
• Supernatural thriller
• Political thriller
• Erotic thriller
• Horror thriller
• Drama thriller

Mask used by killer in 'Scream'

Thrillers consist of precise codes and conventions in order for it to get its label. For example, tense music, fast camera shots, low key lighting, shadows and mirrors. Also there are certain costumes, for example the signature mask from 'Scream' is used throughout the series, the elongated mouth which looks like someone screaming is now associated with that particular film series. This has helped the film series 'Scream' gain lots of recognition. Other codes and conventions are complex story lines, suspense and deep characters. Deep characters are used quite often in thrillers, they give the 'killer' a motive, perhaps they have had an unfortunate childhood, and the audience finds out more about them throughout the film, this gives the film a chance to demonstrate the different theories in thrillers.