Thriller Genre and Sub-Genres and Technical Codes and Conventions

The purpose of film genres:
Film genres were created to categorize films to make it easier for the public to create initial impressions about films. Each genre has its own specific technical codes and conventions that are consistent throughout the genre and sub-genres. This allows the audience to have some idea of what to expect when seeing a film in a certain genre. We can use the idea of codes and conventions to delve deeper into the thriller genre and find out what makes a successful thriller film.

What is a thriller?
The term thriller refers to the types of film that, quite simple, thrill the audience. To elaborate, they are able to promote a high level of excitement and suspense, as well as including elements that add ultra-heightened expectation to create nerve-wracking tension.

Thriller films only have one aim – to provide something that is thrilling to watch that leaves the audience constantly wanting more. They do this by including intense plots that slowly build up to an exciting climax. Tension is usually created when the main character or group of characters (which is becoming increasingly common) is placed in a dangerous or menacing situation, such as a spy trying to complete a mission that seems impossible. In most cases, the life of the characters is always threatened, usually by placing them unsuspectingly or unknowingly in a deadly situation of which survival appears to be unlikely. Thrillers use plots ridden with villains or monsters which provide some sort of conflict with the protagonist as this makes the story much more exciting.

As thriller is such a wide genre with many sub-genres, it is rare to see a film simple categorized as a thriller. Sub-genres are classed as hybrids as they are made up of two separate genres to create one single, more specific sub genre. With the thriller genre, most films are able to be categorized as these ‘hybrids’ and each include their own set of codes and conventions which differ slightly from others in the thriller genre as conventions from the other half of the hybrid add to make each sub-genre different and unique.

Examples of Sub-Genres of Thriller:
Crime Thriller - This sub-genre offers an account of either successful or failed crimes but presents them in a very suspenseful way to make them more interesting to watch. These films often choose to focus more from the criminal(s) point of view as opposed to the policeman/detective’s side. This is because the lifestyle of the criminal and the part they play within the story tends to be more fast paces and enjoyable to watch. Crime thrillers also include a lot of psychological aspects to play on the audiences emotions which creates a much more thrilling plot. Common themes throughout this sub genre are: robberies, drugs, murders, chases, framing other characters and shootouts.

Action Thriller - This sub-genre usually includes a race against time, in which the main character has to complete a task in a set time period but has to overcome certain obstacles, often using violence and things of that nature. These films also often include an antagonist that challenges the protagonist throughout the film trying to prevent them from succeeding in their task. Common elements of this sub-genre are large amounts of gunfire and explosions and elaborate set pieces and locations. Perfect examples of a successful action-thriller are the James Bond films.

Drama Thriller - This sub-genre includes aspects from both drama and thriller based films. These types of films are normally a lot slower than other thriller films to create a dramatic effect. They also often choose to focus on one character and the development of the character throughout the film including many twists in plot to create an unpredictable ending. A good example of this is the film The Illusionist.

Conspiracy Thriller - This sub-genre focuses on a hero/heroine that confronts a large, powerful group of enemies whose true extent only he/she recognizes. Films such as The Aquitane Progression by Robert Ludlum fall under this sub-genre.

Disaster Thriller - This sub-genre focuses on problems that arise from a natural or artificial disaster. These include things such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, volcanoes and asteroid/comet collisions or in case of an artificial disaster, nuclear disasters. A good example of this is the film Twister by Jan De Bont.

Horror Thriller - This sub-genre focuses on the conflict concerning the mental, emotional and physical state of the main character(s). The horror thriller sub-genre differs from the other sub-genres of thrillers simply due to the consistent element of fear thoughout the story. The main character is always seem to be victimized either as a random act of evil or as a strategic attack for some reason or another. A good example of this is the recent ‘Saw’ series.

Legal Thriller - This sub-genre focuses on a lawyer-heroes/heroines confront foes both in and outside the courtroom, usually using unconvential means to support their case. This commonly poses the risk of the character not only losing the case bu endangering their lives. The Innocent Man by John Grisham is a well known example of this type of film.

Political Thriller - This sub-genre focuses on a hero/heroine that must ensure the stability of the government that employs them. A good example of this type of film is The Manchurian Candidate.

Psychological Thriller - This sub-genre often focuses on the disturbed emotional and mental state of the main character and the way in which this effects their actions, such as random violent acts. David Lynch's bizarre and influential Blue Velvet are notable examples of this type of film.

Spy Thriller - This sub-genre focuses on a hero that is generally a government agent who must take violent action against agents of a rival government or (in recent years) terrorists. The James Bond films and The Bourne Identity films are perfect examples of this sub-genre.

Supernatural Thriller - This sub-genre focuses on characters that usually have some form of supernatural powers. This type of film includes the regular aspect of tension that are seen throughout the thriller genre with some elements that are also included in the horror genre, such as the occut and and psychic phenomenon. They also generally eschew the more graphic elements of the horror film in favor of sustaining a mood of menace and unpredictability; supernatural thrillers often find the protagonists either battling a malevolent paranormal force or trapped in a situation seemingly influenced or controlled by an other-worldly entity beyond their comprehension.

Techno-thriller - This sub-genre usually focuses upon the military and the technology used by them. The technology is described in detail which is important as it is key to the audience being able to understand the plot correctly and prevent them from being confuses, as technology can be for some people. After the release of The Hunt for Red October, Tom Clancy is now considered to be the "Father of the Technothriller."


Thriller Conventions:

Below is a list of the conventions of the thriller genre, obtained from - http://thrillerproject.blogspot.com/

o A crime at the core of the narrative (often murder, but not necessarily).
o A complex narrative structure, with false paths, clues and resolutions.
o A narrative pattern of establishing enigmas which the viewer expects to be resolved.
o A protagonist who is systematically dis-empowered and drawn into a complex web of intrigue by the antagonist.
o Extraordinary events happening in ordinary situations.
o Themes of identity.
o Themes of mirroring.
o Themes of voyeurism.
o Protagonist with a ‘flaw’ which is exploited by the antagonist.
o Titles often reflect an aspect of the pro/antagonist’s psychological state.
o There is often a scene near the end of the film in which the protagonist is in peril.
o Mise en scene which echoes/ mirrors the protagonist’s plight.