Thrillers revolve around anticipation and suspense, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats through a protagonist's problem like an escape, mission, or mystery that builds tension throughout the film. Thrillers employ conventions like low lighting, quick cuts, shadows, tension music, and diegetic breathing sounds to create suspense and danger. Characters commonly include stalkers, criminals, terrorists, psychos, and those with dark pasts as heroes, villains, or innocent villains involved in storylines designed to feel relatable and intimidating to audiences.