Contents of a thriller

     

The thriller is a broad genre of literature, film, gaming and television. It includes numerous, often overlapping sub genres.The contents of a thriller usually include fast paced, frequent action, and resourceful heroes who must thwart the plans of more powerful and better equipped villains. Literary devices such as suspense, red herrings and cliff hangers are used extensively.

Types of thrillers:

Spy thrillers- typically a government agent who must take violent action against agents of rival governments.

Political thrillers- have features of conspiracy thrillers.

Military thrillers- normally uniformed military officer.

Conspiracy thrillers- hero confronts large powerful group of enemies.

Forensic thrillers- forensic experts.

Psychological thrillers- conflict between the main characters is mental and emotional rather than physical.

Horror thrillers – in which conflict between the main characters is mental, emotional and physical. 

Characteristics of a thriller:

Thrillers are usually mystery stories, but are really distinguished by the structure of their plot.

Thrillers occur on a much grander scale: the crimes that must be prevented are generally serial or mass murder.

Thrillers usually include a sense of jeopardy and violent confrontations are standard plot elements.

Climaxes are often used in thrillers to represent the ending or an abrupt ending that doesn't explain what happened.

Conventions of thrillers:

In a thriller the general character confrontation is between a Protagonist  and an Antagonist.

The Protagonist is usually at the mercy of the Antagonist. 

The plot and characters are usually binary oppositions (complete opposite).