Subgenres

Thiller Subgenres 

Thriller has several sub genres. Unlike conventional genres such as Comedy or drama Thriller subgenres extend to legal and political thrillers to action or crime. This blog will show you the different types of subgenre’s that thriller can have. All subgenres conform to the conventions of the Thriller. Thriller itself is defined by the mood that they produce. “Sensational and Suspenseful” thrillers intercross with nearly every type of genre.

Action Thriller

An action thriller depending on the country can vary. If we look at the conventional action film made by Hollywood, its typical to see explosions and a lot of special effects such as the die hard series or the fast and furious series. Where as if we look at films that come from Asia in particular Hong Kong action thrillers are most commonly associated with police officers and kung fu which can also intersect with the crime subgenre’ such as The Killer or Hard Boiled.

Conspiracy Thrillers

This type of genre links in with the mystery/red herring element of thriller. Commonly these types of films consists of some sort of journalist or investigator who find themselves trapped in a powerful organization having unraveled, found or revealed something which then inevitably leads to this organization being taken down. This genre toys with the idea’s of good over the ruling of evil and examples can be seen in films such as The Bourne Identity series or The Game.

 Spy Thrillers

When we think of Spy films we think of Mission Impossible. The Spy thriller subgenre is quite similar to a film like this. In terms of spy thrillers the most famous examples are that of the James Bond series. The early bond films centered very much of issues of the time which much of it revolved around espionage. Spy films show the tales of government espionage activates. Many of these films are built on the basis of fantasy and often offer escapism, exotic locations and new and crazy technologies.

Crime Thriller

The crime thriller is the tree of subgenres. All subgenres of thriller are branches of the crime as nearly all links back or into the subgenre. Crime thrillers are a hybrid between Crime and Thriller and commonly caper films. Caper films are a crime film that includes several types of crimes. Crime films often center on the criminal and his crime or a protagonist predominantly a cop trying to solve it. Examples of crime thriller films include Seven, Reservoir Dogs or inside man that also like to emphasize on the psychological part of the genre.

Sci Fi Thriller

Perhaps one of the most complex types of thriller, Techno/Sci-Fi thrillers are of course set in the future. These films are often based in a dystopian society. Usually they focus on the manipulation of sophisticated technologies that play a prominent part in taking over the world. Sci-Fi thrillers can also focus on extra terrestrial life invading earth. Films set in the future include IRobot, Blade Runner, Terminator or Minority Report.

Disaster Thriller

Disaster thrillers are a very niche subgenre to explore. This genre focuses on a limited amount of time until a natural disaster is imminent whilst the protagonist has to try and prevent such disaster from happening. Many of these disasters also highlight how human activity has caused this. Films like the day after tomorrow, 2012 and deep impact are examples.

Mystery Thriller

Mystery thrillers relate to a lot of sub genres. Crime perhaps is the most relatable to the mystery subgenre. It focuses mainly on the plights of investigator or detective. Expect red herrings, plot twists and enigma’s a lot of them infect for the audience to uncover and solve as they watch the film. Mystery films are best seen twice as there are always small but important details to pick up on getting into the psyche of the audience thus bringing more dramatic effect. Films include Shutter Island, The usual suspects, vertigo and others such as Zodiac and Seven.

Political and Legal Thriller

Political and Legal thrillers are similar to conspiracy thrillers. Political and Legal thrillers often revolve around a corrupt politician or legal thrillers which are set in a court. Films include the pelican brief, enemy of the state, fair game and the idea’s of march.