Thriller Sub-genres

The thriller genre is very broad, therefore it is often divided into a number of sub-genres.

• Action thrillers often feature a race against the clock involving lots of violence, guns and explosions such eg. the James Bond films.
• Crime thrillers are usually an account of a crime/crimes which follow the criminal and their actions. They often involve murders, shootouts, burglaries and chases eg. Se7en.
• Conspiracy thrillers are where a hero/heroine is left to confront a large and powerful group of enemies alone, due to only them recognising their true extent eg. Wag The Dog.
• Disaster thrillers often involve natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods and earthquakes or artificial disasters such as a nuclear explosion eg. 2012.
• Horror thrillers are about a character being put in danger by unrealistic creatures, who they have to destroy to survive/succeed eg. War of The Worlds.
• Legal thrillers are where a lawyer is involved in a case in which he receives confrontation both inside and outside of the courtroom. As well as fighting the case they must also fight to save their lives eg. The Innocent Man.
• Medical thrillers are where a hero/heroine in the medical profession is working to solve an expanding medical problem eg. I Am Legend.
• Political thrillers are where a hero/heroine must work to ensure the stability of the government they work for eg. Agency.
• Psychological thrillers involve conflict between characters, however in a more emotional and mental form, rather than physical violence eg. Suspicion.
• Spy thrillers often involve a hero working as an agent for the government, who must uncover the plans of rival agents and governments and take violent action against them eg. The Bourne Ultimatum.
• Religious thrillers are where the plot is closely linked to religious objects, questions or institutions eg. The Da Vinci Code.