What Defines a Thriller?

What is Defines a Thrillers?

A thriller is categorised by a few specific and and appropriate conventions which make thriller movies stand out compared to any other genre of film. Any typical thriller film follows the generic and typical conventions that have been set for the genre. 

These conventions consist of;

•  Action - A typical thriller must consist of action sequences within and throughout the film in which will entice and bring in viewer attention to the film, in order to keep their attention

• Suspense - Suspense is arguably the genre's most important convention, as suspense creates a unnerving, curious and unknowing atmosphere for the audience, and by having these emotions in the audience, they as viewers are being 'thrilled' so to speak, and continue to be immersed and watch the film to watch what's unfolding

• Unnerving/Tense Music - Thrillers have to include ambiguous, tension building diegetic music in order to further help improve and build on the convention of suspense in the film. Suspense and the appropriate music work hand in hand if done well, and can expertly create tension within scenes

Thrillers also include antagonists and protagonists in order to create a story line and plot for the movie to have and for the audience to follow, and witness their characters develop over the course of the film, in order for the audience to be connected with the film and it's characters who are important to the film's plot