What is a Thriller?

A Thriller is one of the many categories of films in movies and TV today. Genres are used to define the characteristics of a film according to common elements of content, structure and technique. It is also used to create a visual to potential viewers to ensure that the right audience is attracted and the film can be best received. For example most would instantly associate westerns with cowboys and desserts.

The typical narrative follows the structure of Hero vs. villain. The protagonist has a duty to diminish the antagonist’ negative intensions and often destroy the antagonist himself. A common feature within the genre and its hybrids is for the protagonist to be outnumbered but to rise above it all and become victorious. There is also usually a love interest wrongly obtained and eventually becomes their Achilles heal.

Thrillers are often generic hybrids. For example you have Action Thrillers (The Bourne Ultimatum – 2007), Suspense Thrillers (Open Your Eyes - 1997), Comedy Thrillers (Clue - 1985), Political Thrillers (Shooter - 2007) even Psychological Thrillers (Enemy of the state - 1998).

The Characters you are likely to come across in thrillers include assassins, gangs, innocent civilians, government eyes – often manipulating the system, ex- cons, predecessors of the greats in their field a good example of this is James McAvoy in WANTED - 2008, and terrorists. Often it is the demeanor of the protagonist, which can develop the essence of the hybrid.

Typical locations include capital cities (such as London), airports, one of the 7 wonders of the world, government headquarters, exotic county’s army camps etc. In many thrillers, in particular Action Thrillers, there can be several different locations within the one movie, a good example of this is Quantum of Solace - 2008, there is in all 9 different country locations, totaling 28 different filming locations within those areas. The location I feel is the key when creating a thriller. This is because without it the plot and characters have no meaning or belonging, the genre is impossible to establish and the whole production would simply make no sense.

Overall the thriller genre is created to provide thrills and scares, create suspense and cliffhangers all with the intension of keeping the audience on the edge of their seats throughout.