Blog Post 2 - Thriller Genre

The thriller genre is characterised by its focus on suspense, tension, and excitement. The primary aim is to evoke a strong emotional response from the audience, such as anxiety, excitement, or fear, keeping them engaged and eager to find out what happens next.

Thriller genre exists across a wide range of media, not just in films. Including: Books ( authors like Stephen King, Agatha Christie, and Dan Brown) , television shows ( E.g."Stranger Things" and "The Handmaid's Tale"), video games ("Resident Evil" and "The Last of Us"

A typical Thriller storyline: 

• Equilibrium: The story starts with everyone living their regular life, like a quiet town or a happy family.

• Disruption:  Suddenly, something wrong occurs, like a crime or a secret is found, shaking up the normal life. E.g. the discovery of a secret, a murder, or any event that introduces an element of danger or suspense. The suspense and unpredictability during this stage are crucial for maintaining viewer engagement.

• New Equilibrium: The main character works hard, facing challenges and dangers, to solve the problem and make things safe again.

• The story might end with everything wrapped up nicely, OR it might leave us wondering what will happen next.

Thriller genre's evolution

Early 20th Century: Thrillers often focused on espionage, mystery, and adventure, reflecting tensions of the times, especially around the world wars. Authors like Alfred Hitchcock are credited with shaping early thriller cinema with a focus on suspense, psychological depth, and the unexpected.

Post-War Era (1950s-1960s): The Cold War era introduced a surge in espionage thrillers, reflecting global political tensions. This period saw the rise of iconic characters like James Bond, which blended action, espionage, and a charismatic hero.

Modern Thrillers (1990s-Present) : Modern thrillers have become increasingly diverse, incorporating elements from other genres such as science fiction, horror, and cyberpunk. 

Neale’s perspective:

Steve Neale has argued that genres are processes rather than static categories, constantly being reshaped by films themselves, industry practices, and audience expectations. In the context of thrillers, this perspective suggests that the genre's evolution reflects changing social, technological, and political contexts.

Targeted Audience

Age: Adults or elder teenagers

Due to their complex plots, psychological depth, and often mature themes (such as violence, crime, or psychological distress).

Gender: action-packed spy thrillers might historically have been marketed more towards men, while psychological thrillers with emotional depth might have broader appeal or be targeted more towards women in certain marketing strategies.

Sub-genres and hybrids of Thriller

Crime Thriller

Crime thriller as a genre is a hybrid type of both crime films and thrillers, which offers a suspenseful account of a successful or failed crime or crimes. Such films often focus on the criminal(s) and victim(s) rather than a policeman and law

Significant examples of crime thrillers (in chronological order) :

• "Se7en" (1995): Directed by David Fincher, this film follows two detectives, portrayed by Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, as they hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his motif. The movie is known for its dark atmosphere, psychological depth, and a shocking twist ending.

• "Zodiac" (2007): Another film by David Fincher, tells the true story of the hunt for the Zodiac Killer, a serial killer who terrorised San Francisco in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The film focuses on the obsession of detectives and journalists with solving the case, highlighting the impact of the investigation on their lives.

• "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991): Directed by Jonathan Demme, this film features a young FBI trainee, played by Jodie Foster, who seeks the help of imprisoned cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to catch another serial killer, Buffalo Bill. It's renowned for its psychological intensity and complex characters.

Action Thriller

Action thrillers, as a sub-genre, seamlessly blend the heart-racing suspense and plot twists of traditional thrillers with the high-energy, physically demanding sequences of action films.

Action thrillers often include fast-paced narratives, through the combination of action and suspense, audiences become emotionally invested in the characters’ outcomes. The cycle of tension and release provides an emotional rollercoaster that can be both exhilarating and satisfying

Escapism: Action thrillers provide a form of escapism, allowing audiences to experience vicariously the thrill of danger and adventure. This escape from everyday life into a world of excitement and danger is a significant draw of the genre.

Significant examples of action thrillers (in chronological order) :

• The Terminator (1984): American science fiction action film co-written and directed by James Cameron. It is about a robot from the future called the Terminator. This robot looks like a human and is sent back in time to the year 1984. Its mission is to find and eliminate Sarah Connor because her future son will lead a fight against machines that take over the world. The protagonists are trying to survive and stop the Terminator. The film is packed with intense action scenes, including car chases, shootouts, and hand-to-hand combat.
  

• Kill Bill (2003): Directed by Quentin Tarantino that follows the story of a former assassin known as The Bride. After waking up from a four-year coma, she seeks revenge on her former colleagues who betrayed her, including her boss, Bill, who ordered her assassination on her wedding day. The film is known for its stylised violence, intricate fight choreography, and a non-linear storyline that pays homage to martial arts films, samurai cinema, and spaghetti westerns. The thrilling aspect of the film lies in The Bride's relentless pursuit of justice and the obstacles she faces, making it a gripping tale of revenge.

• Batman Begins (2005): Directed by Christopher Nolan, "Batman Begins" is an action thriller that explores the origins of the iconic superhero, Batman. The film follows Bruce Wayne's transformation from a disillusioned billionaire into the vigilante Batman, intent on fighting crime and corruption in Gotham City. The movie combines thrilling action sequences, psychological depth, and a dark atmosphere to reinvigorate the Batman franchise, focusing on themes of fear, justice, and redemption.

Inception (2010)

Directed by Christopher Nolan, this sci-fi thriller explores the world of dream manipulation and features a complex narrative structure along with stunning visuals.

One of the film's most memorable scenes involves a fight in a hotel hallway that appears to rotate, simulating zero gravity. This effect was achieved by constructing a rotating corridor set and using a camera that moved in sync with the set's rotation. The result is a disorienting, yet visually compelling sequence that blurs the lines between up and down, reflecting the disorienting nature of dreams.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2tfZksgEy4