Sub Genres of the Thriller and Target Audiences

Conspiracy Thriller

This genre usually revolves around the main protagonist becoming involved with a great organisation. The plot develops to the protagonist trying to take the organisation down. These thrillers are usually fairly complicated and are targeted towards people over the age of 12. The films require the audience to be educated yet they are not normally gender specific

Examples:  - The Bourne Trilogy

-       James Bond

-       The Game

-       JFK

Crime Thriller

Crime thrillers focus more on the characters that take part in a successful of un-successful crime. They do this to create a psychological impact on the audience. They range from being very complex, to fairly simple and purely reliant on the characters personality themselves. Yet they can often be graphic and are more suitable for people ages 15 plus. They aren’t gender specific as they explore both men and women in the crimes that are committed.

Examples: - Reservoir Dogs

-       Pulp Fiction

-       American Gangster

-       Training Day

Disaster Thriller

The disaster thriller is a film that shows either a group or individuals survival in an event that is either caused by humans or by and act of nature. These ask the question what happens if such events were to occur. They are uncomplicated but do have dark themes such as human extinction. They are targeted though primarily at teenagers from twelve upwards. We see a male protagonist in the films so they do have a greater appeal with males.

Examples: - 2012

-       Armageddon

-       The Day After Tomorrow

-       Deep Impact

Mystery Thriller

These thrillers have a lot in common with the Crime Thrillers. These focus on an individual detective of investigator in researching an event or a murder etc. Yet they are usually fairly psychological and create tension through the audience finding the plot out as the character does. They are targeted more for adults as they require higher education to be interpreted fully.

Examples: - Shutter Island

-       Vertigo

-       Psycho

-       Silence of the Lambs

Political Thriller

A political thriller is a thriller that revolves around either the theme of government politics or a localized politics. The themes used can often be complex and tend to be focused more on adults, with an interest in politics. They are not usually targeted specifically for a certain gender.

Examples: - Ides of March

-       The Day of the Jackal

-       State of Play

-       Enemy of the State

Psychological Thriller

A psychological thriller is one that ties closest witht the horror genre, and shows its audience in depth the mental and emotional uncertainty or stability of its characters. These change targets depending on how close to the horror genre they go. If it is close then it is more for teenager than adults. Yet the psychological thriller is more focused on females than males.

Examples: - Paranormal Activity

-       Panic Room

-       Frozen

-       Phone Booth

Religious Thriller

A religious thriller is based upon the theme of good vs. evil. It tends to be focused on an element of religion and there is a sense of punishment on the viewer. They can also sometimes relate to the horror genre. Yet they have a more specific audience. They tend to be far more adult than other thrillers and are more focused towards females than males.

Examples: - The Reaping

-       End of Days

-       The Omen

-       Constantine