Media coursework

1. THRILLER SUBGENRE
RESEARCH
By Leila Deeley

2. CRIME THRILLER
 Definition- “Fictionalizes crimes, their detection, criminals and their motives. It
is usually distinguished from mainstream fiction and other genres such as science
fiction or historical fiction, but boundaries can be, and indeed are, blurred”
 Usually contain a fast pace with both a protagonist and antagonist, generally, the
antagonist is in some form of danger.
 There usually based on cognitive ideas, with a small amount of action and gore.
 Often chases such as car chases or on foot. This is usually edited with a fast
pace and shows quick and choppy shots to create a desperate ambiance.

3. EXAMPLES

4. PSYCHOLOGICAL
THRILLER
 Definition-“build up slowly, with ever-increasing doubt and tension,
until some explicit action/violence takes place, usually at the finale.”
 Often uses a relatively bland locations and costumes, yet use some
wild cognitive ideas to create a sense of normality in a mind of
insanity.
 Flashbacks are often used to create a confused element of time and
disorientate the viewers.

5. EXAMPLES

6. MEDICAL THRILLERS
 Definition- “Involves something usually for medical purposes
becoming a deadly weapon. Often it is a virus that is leaking out to
the public. The protagonist or antagonist or both are doctors.”
 Based on discussing scenes, rather than action and violence.
 The mise en scene often includes a sterile and cold feel using a
dark lighting and light blue toned colours.

7. EXAMPLES

8. POLITICAL THRILLERS
 Definition- “In this subgenre political relations or the whole
government is at stake, and the protagonist is employed by the
government to stop the decline. The protagonist may have been low-
level before having attracted attention.”
 Usually based on conspiracies and conflict between positions of
power.
 Fast editing is often utilized and chase scenes often make up a vast
majority of these films.

9. EXAMPLES