Researching Thriller Films - Sub-Genres

Some genres link in with each other, and this is what has happened with the thriller genre. These are known as 'sub-genres'. A more in-depth link to these can be found here.

Action Thrillers

An action thriller tends to be a thriller crossed with an action, a drama or a mystery film. They have an element of each of these genres, and films such as the James Bond films are prime examples of this.

Crime Thrillers

These films are always a cross between crime, mystery and thriller films. They tend to build up to a 'big reveal' at the end of the film. 'The Godfather', 'Se7en' and 'Reservoir Dogs' are good examples of these.

Drama Thrillers
A cross between a thriller and a drama. Lots of description is involved, and complicated twists and turns tend to appear when least expected. Examples of these are 'The Prestige', and 'The Interpreter'.


Psychological Thriller
An example of this is 'The Talented Mr Ripley'. They tend to link emotions and feelings, and is a story about these, rather than violence and death.