What is a thriller?

A Thriller is a genre of literature, film and television. A thriller film uses tension, excitement and suspense. These are the main elements and are what differs a thriller to any other genre. Nearly all films today have sub-genres and thrillers are no different. Some thriller sub-genres can be: Crime (Oceans 11), Psychological (Phone Booth), Supernatural (What lies beneath) or Political (The Interpreter). The characteristics of a thriller usually have an atmosphere of murder, violence, menace and crime. The societies in thrillers are often portrayed as dark and edgy but they usually have a happy ending. Also thrillers love to endorse cliff hangers and plot twists. This is to thrill, excite and keep the audience at the edge of their seat, which the whole point of a thriller film.