The common features of the Thriller genre in film

1. Thriller
Genre
By Harriet Hunt

2. Examples of
Thriller/ Horror
films I will relate
to…
• The Purge
• The Cabin in the woods
• 28 weeks later
• Sleeping with the enemy
• Seven
• Silence of the Lambs
• The black swan
• Only God Forgives
Thriller is a genre of literature, film, and
television programming that uses suspense,
tension, and excitement as its main elements.
These are types of films known to promote
intense excitement, suspense, a high level of
anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation,
uncertainty, anxiety, and nerve-wracking
tension.

3. Psychological Thriller
In addition to the traits of a regular Thriller, a Psychological Thriller incorporates elements of drama
and mystery film. The suspense in this sub-genre comes from the mind, rather than from a psychical
threat. The protagonists in Psychological Thrillers must rely on their mental resources to solve the
situation. Because of their nature, many Psychological Thrillers cross over into the Horror genre.
Other thriller sub genres…
• Comedy Thriller
• Crime thriller
• Conspiracy thriller
• Supernatural thriller
Sub Genres

4. • The heroes in most thrillers are frequently "hard
men" accustomed to danger: law enforcement
officers, spies, soldiers, seamen, or pilots. However,
they may also be ordinary citizens drawn into danger
by accident. While such heroes have traditionally
been men, women have become increasingly
common.
• While a mystery climaxes when the mystery is
solved; a thriller climaxes when the hero finally
defeats the villain, saving his own life and often the
lives of others. In thrillers influenced by film noir
and tragedy, the compromised hero is often killed in
the process.
Common features of
Thrillers…