Thriller: Sub-Genres

Thriller sub-genres.

The thriller genre can be split into many sub-genres. More than one sub-genre can contribute to a film to make up the main thriller (e.g supernatural and horror.) The sub-genres help the audience to choose which type of thriller they prefer and enjoy, causing different demographics.
Here are the main sub-genres:

Supernatural Thrillers:

Supernatural thrillers are differentiated from the other sub-genres by their codes and conventions. The paranormal activity within this sub-genre is a major convention that makes it so specific. Supernatural thrillers aim to create suspense, shock and slight fear and they usually accomplish this by placing the audience within the unknown. Not having full knowledge of the supernatural, the audience begins to fear for the worst and wants to keep watching to find out more.
A good example of a supernatural thriller is The Woman In Black (Dir. James Watkins-2012)

The Woman In Black was based on the novel written by Susan Hill to create a thrilling film.
Although this film can cross into the horror thriller sub-genre, the supernatural elements t allow the film to come under the supernatural category. 

The film's narrative is based upon a man named Arthur Kipps who seeks out to sell Eel Marsh House. The lawyer soon finds himself unraveling the chilling tale behind the past owner who was deprived of her child and is now leaving a curse upon the village.
The paranormal narrative is a key convention to any supernatural thriller as it has elements to scare, thrill and excite people.
Other supernatural thrillers could include:
The Others (Dir. Alejandro Amenabar-2001) 
Season of the Witch (Dir. Dominic Sena- 2011)

Horror Thrillers:
Horror thrillers include much more gore and blood than any other sub-genre. Horror thrillers have the element to scare and excite people by playing with their emotions. Although this sub-genre can be much more like a horror film rather than a thriller, the conventions of a thriller are still visible. For example, this sub-genre will still have elements such as hidden identity, dark settings and plot twists.

Scream (Dir. Wes Craven-1996) is a good example to use for this sub-genre as it has many conventions of a thriller. It has death, a dark setting, a masked character (hidden identity) and many other aspects.
The narrative is also very dark and creates tension and suspense as it is about a masked murderer who sets out to kill a teenage girl. Mystery occurs when ideas arise that certain deaths are all linked together.
This sub-genre is popular when the audience wants to be scared.
Other horror thrillers could include:

Saw (Dir. James Wan- 2004)
Halloween (John Carpenter - 1978) 

Psychological Thrillers:

Psychological thrillers are rather complex within their ideas and narrative. This sub-genre can play with the mind of the characters and even the audience.  A character's mentality is shown throughout the film and allows the audience to get an insight into insanity. 
An example of a psychological thriller is Black Swan (Dir. Darren Aronofsky- 2010). 
Suspense and excitement is built up  throughout this film by the breakdown of the main character's mind. 
The narrative revolves around a girl whose mind begins to crumble when her obsession for ballet becomes a real life nightmare. Not only does it play with the emotions of the audience, like a thriller should, it plays with their thoughts too. 
Other psychological thrillers could include:
Shutter Island (Dir. Martin Scorsese-2010)
Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock- 1960)


Conspiracy Thrillers:

Conspiracy thrillers revolve around the main character (usually a journalist or investigator) who become involved in an organisation based upon deceit and lies. The company is then brought down by the main character which leads onto secrecy about the government or major organisations. 
An example of a conspiracy thriller is The Game (Dir. David Fincher- 1997). Tension is created throughout the film when a mysterious card is given to the main character and bad things begin to happen.
Other conspiracy thrillers could include:
The Da Vinci Code (Dir. Ron Howard- 2006)
Equilibrium (Dir. Kurt Wimmer- 2002)

                                 Crime Thrillers:

Crime thrillers follow a character(s) in their journey leading up to a certain criminal act.  Suspense occurs throughout this sub-genre as car chases and weapons are often visible.
Taken (Dir. Pierre Morel- 2008)  is an example of a crime thriller. It changes the audiences emotion from happy to afraid. This sub-genre is great as is keeps the audience hooked till the end due to all the pace changes.
Other crime thrillers could include:
Goodfellas (Dir. Martin Scorsese-1990)
Pulp Fiction  (Dir. Quentin Tarantino- 1994)
Taxi Driver (Dir. Martin Scorsese- 1976)

Mystery Thrillers:

Mystery thrillers often follow the scene of a crime and the main character uses clues to figure out exactly what has happened or what will happen. The audience tends to get very engrossed within this sub-genre as you become part of the mystery. 

Codes and conventions of a thriller is seen throughout this sub-genre like hidden identity,  dark settings and death. 

An example of this sub-genre is Blue Velvet (Dir. David Lynch- 1986).  A mysterious ear is found which leads into a thrilling narrative.

Other mystery thrillers could include:
Se7en/Seven (Dir. David Fincher- 1995)
The Stepfather (Dir. Nelson McCormick- 2009)



Erotic Thrillers:
Erotic thrillers are based around sexual desire leading up to a twist in the story.  The issues that can occur could be divorce, relationship issues and even murder. This sub-genre creates suspense and tension and can relate to some of the audiences problems (e.g relationship issues.)
An example of an erotic thriller is Basic Instinct (Dir. Paul Verhoeven- 1992).
Other erotic thrillers could include:
Eyes Wide Shut (Dir. Stanley Kubrick- 1999)
Shattered (Dir. Wolfgang Petersen-1991)