12 • Conventions Of A Thriller 2

Due to the thriller genre being so diverse, there are a number of subgenres to categorise different types of thriller in, based on their traits. Below is a list of 7 of some of the most popular thriller subgenres and what the basic elements of them are, as well as examples of some well known films from each. I will then go into more detail on two of these subgenres. 

• Conspiracy Thriller •
A hero or heroine, stereotypically journalists, who are caught in a large, powerful organisation who use terror and crime to keep their secrets. This company will usually be brought down the protagonist. Some movies that fit this genre are Angels & Demons (which also fits into the category of Religious thriller), JFK, The Game andBourne Ultimatum (which also fits into the Spy Thriller Category).


• Crime Thrillers •
Crime thrillers focus on failed or successful crimes on screen. More often or not, the film focuses on criminals rather than the hero and often has a psychological element to this genre as well. Films in this category includeReservoir Dogs and Inside Men. 


• Disaster Thriller •
This particular subgenre usually follows a select group of people or a person 
that has survived either a natural disaster (hurricanes, earthquakes or volcano's for example) or a human made disaster (e.g nuclear warfare) in which most of humanity has been wiped to the brink of extinction. Movies in this genre include 2012, Contagion, The Day After Tomorrow and Poseidon.

• Mystery Thriller •
This genre relates to Crime Thrillers, and usually focuses on the detective or the private investigators work to solve the mystery. The audience usually finds out information as the protagonist does, which creates drama, tension and excitement with the audience. Films that fall into this category are: Shutter Island, Sherlock Holmes, The Illusionist and Se7en.

Psychological Thriller
A psychological thriller plays with the audiences minds as it reflects the main characters unstable emotional states. It creates suspense through showing the mentality of the character. Some popular films in this sub genre are: Psyco, The Shining, Black Swan and One Hour Photo. 
Religious Thriller
The plot of this type of thriller connects religious institutions, holy objects, questions and mysteries. These film usually unravel the good and bad points about religion, particularly Catholicism. This subgenre is often met with hostility with people of the religion that the film is centred around due to possible criticisms of the religion that the film suggest. Religious Thrillers include: The Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons and The Devil's Advocate. 

Supernatural Thriller
Supernatural thrillers usually involve an out-of-this-world elements, to which burdens or has a relation to the protagonist in some way, in which they must overcome. This genre is closely connected to religious thrillers, in the way demons or sprits can posses antagonists. Other common plots involve aliens. Films in this genre: The Others, Paranormal Activity, The Sixth Sense