Thriller Definition

Notes on trying to define a Thriller

Thriller films are movies that primarily use action and suspense to engage the audience.
They emphasise nervous tension and anxiety. Distinct from horror movies which emphasise fear or action which emphasise exhileration. Action in the case of thrillers isn't necessarily explosions, could be suspense a sequence of events. Put the common man in the position of the protagonist, often just an ordinary man as opposed to someone elite. Horror films are designed to scare people but thrillers are designed to suspend. The definition is narrow and most films are hybrids of thrillers and horrors or action films. Thriller are often suspense thrillers, noir thrillers, chase thrillers, women-in-danger thrillers, private eye thrillers, court room and legal thrillers, erotic thrillers, plot-twisting psychodramas.
Promote intense excitement. Genuine thriller is a film that relentlessly pursues a single minded goal to provide thrills and keep the audience cliff hanging at the edge of their seats as the plot builds toward as climax. Tension arrises when the main character needs to escape something or is put into a situation that's dangerous.

Characters

Ordinary heroes put against villains who want to destroy you or your country. Often just one person or a small group. Cut off of recourses from their organisation. Drawn into danger and intrigue by circumstances beyond their control. Criminals, innocent victims, cops, private eyes, twisted relationships, psycho-fiends, escaped cons, terrorists or psychotic individuals.