Thriller Sub-genres

As thriller is such a broad genre, for classification, it is divided into many more specific sub genres, such as:

Edge of Darkness

Conspiracy Thriller
In which the protagonist faces a powerful group of enemies and is typically the only character, or one of very few characters aware of the threat and therefore participating in the conflict.

Seven

Crime Thriller
A hybrid of crime and thriller genres that are typically a suspenseful recount of a crime. They typically focus more on the criminal as opposed to the law enforcement and concentrate on action instead of psychological aspects.




















Legal Thriller

Law Abiding Citizen

In which the protagonist, typically a lawyer or attorney has a conflict with antagonists both inside the courtroom and outside. Also, there is frequently a danger to the protagonists lives that separates it from similar genres such as courtroom dramas.

The Ghost

Political Thriller
A thriller in which the conflict falls around a political power struggle. Typically involve giving illegal political power to an antagonist or criminal. Almost always involve national or international politics.

Fight Club

Psychological Thriller
A thriller in which the key conflict is psychological or emotional rather than physical. The protagonist normally stumbles into the conflict by accident and does not start out as one of the main sides to the conflict. Characters normally use more mental means to overcome their enemies, if the enemies are not themselves, as is common in some psychological thrillers.

Unbreakable

Supernatural Thriller
In which the conflict typically involves supernatural or paranormal aspects, sometimes as part of the characters' abilities or as part of the setting around them.