SUB-GENRES OF THRILLERS

By Trisha Vekaria

PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLERThis sub-genre emphasises the unstable psychological and emotional state of the

characters. There are similarities to Gothic and detective fiction, where there is a ‘dissolving sense of reality’ and moral ambiguity – which leads to a distortion of thoughts of both the

characters and the audience.

The conventional themes that occur in psychological thrillers are…reality, perception, mind, existence/purpose, identity and death.

Characters often have conflicted emotions and thoughts – where socially irresponsible actions become rational and logical to the characters

(amnesia is a common plot device that helps to explore this). Alfred Hitchcock applies Freudian

concepts his Thrillers to enhance the psychology of his characters.

Examples: Strangers on a Train [1951], Psycho [1960], Se7en [1995], Memento [2000], Shutter

Island [2010], Black Swan [2010]…

CRIME THRILLERWhere crime films show the personal

drama of criminals and focus on a specific crime, crime thrillers have more threat and suspense, and may involve espionage, frequent killing and non-

criminal conflicts (action is overlapped with thriller).

Crime thrillers move away from the melodrama of the criminals and

detectives, and focus on the suspense and danger that is generated. At times

they involve larger-scale villainy such as terrorism, espionage and conspiracy.

Examples: Reservoir Dogs [1992], The Usual Suspects [1994], Heat [1995], The

Bourne Identity [2002], Taken [2008]