A thriller is a genre that uses tension, excitement, suspense and plot twists to generate an adrenaline rush and anxiety in viewers. It often involves crime, violence, terror or menace and features characters like criminals, police, stalkers or assassins. Common thriller themes include love triangles resulting in murder, political conspiracies, terrorism or other crimes. Though thrillers can take place anywhere, they are typically set in ordinary cities or locations like foreign countries, the suburbs or exotic settings.