2. What is a Romantic Thriller?
• Romantic thriller in terms of genres, is a hybrid genre (a
genre in fiction that blends themes and elements from two
or more different genres).
• The genre works on two levels. First a specific theme exists.
Then general relationships, patterns and structural
elements are merged with the specific theme. This means
that there can be a large variety of visual styles and story
structures in romantic thriller.
• This allows for a wide range of production techniques to be
used to create a desired effect as well as it being able to
appeal to a larger and more varied target audience than a
simple Thriller or Romance film would.
• A Romantic Thriller is a good film to contrast because the
genres are so different and varied from each other, allowing
for an interesting and somewhat unique production.
3. Thriller Conventions
• Thriller is a genre of literature, film, and
television programming that uses suspense,
tension, and excitement as its main elements.
Thrillers heavily stimulate the viewer's moods,
giving them a high level of anticipation, ultraheightened expectation, uncertainty, surprise,
anxiety and terror. Films of this genre tend to
be adrenaline-rushing, gritty, rousing and fastpaced.
4. Romance Conventions
• Romantic films often explore the essential
themes of love at first sight, young with older
love, unrequited love, obsessive love, spiritual
love, forbidden love/romance, platonic love,
sexual and passionate love.
• Romantic films serve as great escapes and
fantasies for viewers, especially if the two people
finally overcome their difficulties, declare their
love, and experience life "happily ever after",
implied by a reunion and final kiss.
