Suspense- in films in the thriller genre the audience should almost constantly be in suspense, feeling excitement, anticipation and tension. They should not always know what is going to happen next and only find out around the same time as the characters so the share their emotions.

Red herrings- false clues or wrong deductions which help distract from what is really going on making the truth when it’s revealed even more shocking.

Plot twists- sudden, unexpected changes in direction in the plot to keep the audience constantly on there toes, as thrillers should.

Cliffhangers- often scenes can cut in thrillers so the outcome of it isn’t known right away and the audience doesn’t find out the outcome until later in the film, heightening the tension and suspense

There is always some constant underlying danger or threat.

The main characters usually start of as the underdogs at a disadvantage to their opponents.

The fight between good and bad is mental as well as physical.

Characters, usually protagonists, accidently become part of the plot of the thriller having previously led “normal” lives which makes them more innocent in the world of the corrupt antagonists. In some thrillers the thrill for the audience comes from the idea that what happens in the film could happen to them.

Crime thriller- The story of a fictionalised crime and its solving is told, suspense are other thriller aspects come from trying to figure out “whodunnit”

Psychological thriller- the tension comes more from what is happening in the characters minds, the battles are more often of wits. The characters in it are themselves often psychologically disturbed.

Spy thriller- similar to crime spy thrillers can show an investigation or attempts to accomplish a mission.

Comedy thriller- these are usually one of the other subgenres of thriller but with more humour mixed in.

Supernatural thriller- a thriller but with supernatural elements added which can cause another source of tension.

This is the specific subgenre of thriller we have chosen to do.