What is a thriller?

A thriller can be a book or film designed to cause suspense and tension to the viewer. A good thriller should keep the reader or watcher on the edge of their seat. This is usually achieved by the careful choice in lighting, sound, mis-en-scene, characters, setting, location and camera angles. A thriller will typically include frequent action, fast pacing, and a sudden plot twists and lots of red herrings which can cause the suspense to become almost unbearable and the viewer to become unsure or uneasy. It would also contain a villain/”baddie” and a lot of action. I have noticed that the storyline of a thriller is generally more realistic than other genres such as horrors, sci-fi, comedies, romance, fantasies, action etc. which is part of what makes the idea of something similar happening to you more realistic. The genre; thriller, is extremely large and often overlaps with sub-genres. The most common types of sub genres from a thriller are; action thriller, conspiracy thriller, crime thriller, disaster thriller, drama thriller, spy thriller, erotic thriller, medical thriller, legal thriller and many more.

Definition of a Thriller:
"One that thrills, especially a sensational or suspenseful book, story, play, or movie."
Taken from - http://www.thefreedictionary.com/thriller

Words that remind me of a Thriller:

- Narrative

- Suspense

- Tension

- Mystery

- Red-herring

- Psychological

- Hero/Villain

- Hybrid

- Isolation

- Pathetic Falacy

- Attacks

- Stalker

- Blackmail

- Cliff-hanger

- Murder

- Hostage

- Crime