This document discusses the key elements of a thriller genre film. It notes that thrillers revolve around anticipation and suspense, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. The protagonist typically faces danger and has a problem to overcome, building tension until reaching a highly stressful climax. Examples given include The Great Escape, The Silence of the Lambs, and North by Northwest. The document also outlines common thriller sub-genres like action, crime, and film-noir thrillers, providing representative examples of each.

1. Conceptions of a Thriller

2. Expectations of a thriller
• Revolves around anticipation and suspense
• Keep the audience alert and on the edge of
their seats
• The protagonist usually has a problem to
overcome
• Always emphasises the danger that the
protagonist has to face
• The tension throughout the film is built up
until it reaches a highly stressful climax

3. Examples of thriller films
• The Great Escape
• The Silence of the Lambs
• North by Northwest

4. Sub-genres of thrillers
• Action – uses physical action to create the
suspense including physical stunts, chases, fights,
battles, and races. Examples: Die Hard, Kill Bill,
Bourne Identity
• Crime – usually centres on a serial killer, murderer,
robbery, and manhunt, focuses around the criminal
and protagonist, use both action and psychological
aspects to create suspense. Examples: The Usual
Suspects, The Fugitive, Jagged Edge
• Film-noir – popular throughout 1940s and 1950s,
black and white style with stark lighting effects,
main character is a cynical hero, relies on a
narrative voice and various flashbacks to explain
the intricate plot. Examples: Sunset Boulevard, The
Maltese Falcon, Sweet Smell of Success