A thriller is a film or novel where something exciting and tense always happens. There is always an enigma to be resolved that will change the equilibrium. A common feature of a thriller film will be a death, kidnapping of assault that will lead to a chase involving the heroes and villains. Binary opposition is essential in this process Different types it enables the audience to determine who's side they should be on. Another common convention (expectation) used in the thriller is the anti hero, a character that is flawed and out into a position that they don't necessarily want to be in, but ultimately they save the day. Watching a thriller generally involves willing suspension of disbelief (this means we know the idea is ridiculous but we buy into it for the duration of the film)
Different types of Thrillers:
Psychological- Psychological thriller is a thriller story which emphasises the psychology of its characters and their unstable emotional states. For example Seven:
Seven is a psychological thriller because it is about a serial killer being chased by detectives. Why this is a psychological thriller is because the serial killer is clearly insane and kills people to match the seven deadly sins, hence the film title.
Sci-fi- Science fiction thriller is a fiction based on imagined future scientific or technological advances and major social or environmental changes, frequently portraying space or time travel and life on other planets. For example Children of men:
Children of men is a sci-fi because it is about a man trying to stop the world from ending in the future by trying to save a child, in order for the human race to progress. Due to this film being set in the future it creates a dystopian setting.
Action- An action thriller often contains a fast-paced, centred and definite plot. Normally contains fighting, death and blood being drawn. The heros in action films are normally thrust into series of challenges that typically includes fight scenes and chases. For example James Bond;Skyfall
Skyfall is an action thriller because it includes fast pace chase scenes of James Bond (the hero) chasing the villain. Furthermore the many gun shooting scenes keeps the audiences on the edge of there seats whilst they wait for Bond to succeed again.
Crime- Crime thrillers offer a suspenseful account of a successful or failed crime or crimes. These films often focus on the criminal rather than a policeman. Central topics of these films include serial killers and murders. For example The Usual Suspects:
The usual suspects is a Crime thriller because it includes a mysterious murder and the audience must figure out who the killer is.
Police- A police thriller is when police agencies or the official law of a country are tracking down criminals. For example Sherlock Holmes:
Sherlock Holmes is a police thriller because it is about a police detective investigating into a crime which has been taken police.
Conspiracy/Political- Conspiracy/political thrillers are when the hero/heroine must ensure the stability of the government that employs him. Typically used in fictional films. For example JFK:
JFK is a conspiracy/ political thriller because the films centres around the association of President Kennedy. Also it suggests conspiracy of the government and secret service.
Horror- Horror thrillers seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's primal fears. They intent to startle their viewer. For example Scream:
Scream is a horror thriller because the serial killer in the mask is expected to startle and frighten the audience. Furthermore the idea of being home alone and someone 'stalking' you frightens many people, therefore this film will terrify many viewers.
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