Research into Sub-Genres

Action thriller – This sub-genre features a race against time which includes violence, explosions, guns and a main hero. Examples of action thrillers are The Terminator and James Bond. Action thrillers may have elements of mystery and crime.

Conspiracy thriller – This sub-genre includes a hero or heroine confronts a large, powerful group of enemies who only he/she recognizes.

Crime thriller - This particular genre is a hybrid type of both crime films and thrillers that offers a suspense and tension. Central topics of these films include murders, robberies, chases, shootouts, and double-crosses.

Disaster thriller - In which the main conflict is due to some sort of natural or artificial disaster, such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes, etc., or nuclear disasters as an artificial disaster. 

Detective-Mystery- This sub-genre is considered a sub-genre of crime, suspense or thriller films that focus on an unsolved crime. This can be a murder or a disappearance which includes a central character – typically the hero- a detective. In this genre the detective meets adventures and challenges to solve the mystery.

Drama thriller – This sub-genre consists of the elements of a thriller and drama which is usually slower paced. It involves character development along with plot twists.

Film-noir- Some may argue that Film Noir is not a genre as it is more of a style that has evolved since the 1940’s. Noirs are usually black and white films with moods of melancholy, alienation, isolation, disillusionment, disenchantment, pessimism, ambiguity, moral corruption, evil, guilt and paranoia

Romance- This sub-genre includes features of romantic dramas, romantic comedies, and sexual films. These may be love stories that focus around passion, emotion, and the affectionate involvement of the main characters. This makes the film connect with the audience. Romance films make the love story the main plot focus which usually involves a male and female character.

Suspense Thriller- Thrillers have many sub-genres like action-thrillers, crime thrillers, western-thrillers, film-noir thrillers, etc. The thriller genre can be recognized with the horror genre as they both produce an intense exciting atmosphere. The high level of anticipation and suspense makes the audience anxious and nervous. Alfred Hitchcock has made many suspense thriller films that have captivated audiences. Spy films may be considered a type of thriller/suspense film also.