audience for thriller genre

Audiences: What audiences may be drawn to the thriller genre? Which types of thriller could appeal to different audiences?

Thriller genres often attract a number of audiences due to the films containing moments of suspense, intrigue, mystery and most often action such as fast paced chase sequences like Fast and Furious or moments of feats of defying gravity like Matrix. The thriller genre has a number of sub genres that attract different groups of audiences that watch these films such as:

Action thriller: In which the work often features a race against the clock, contains lots of violence, and an obvious antagonist. These films usually contain large amounts of guns, explosions, and large elaborate set pieces for the action to take place. These films often have elements of mystery films and crime films but these elements take a backseat to action. Notable examples are the James bond films, The Transporter, and the Jason Bourne novels and film. This is often the most popular sub genre that audiences often view because of its fast pace sequences and scenes of violence.

Conspiracy thriller: In which the hero/heroine confronts a large, powerful group of enemies whose true extent only he/she recognizes. The Chancellor Manuscript by Robert Ludlum fall into this category, as do films such as Three days of the Condor and JFK. Often they contain a mystery that needs solving which is revealed at the end this is also used in crime thrillers though not as large scale as a conspiracy.

Crime thriller: This particular genre is a hybrid type of both crime films and thrillers that offers a suspenseful account of a successful or failed crime or crimes. These films often focus on the criminal(s) rather than a policeman. Crime thrillers usually emphasize action over psychological aspects. Central topics of these films include murders, robberies, chases, shootouts, and double-crosses are central ingredients. Some examples include The Killing, Seven, Reservoir dogs, Inside Man. Crime often contains red herrings, suspense and often with a climax at the end. Same as conspiracy, crime often has a mystery that needs solving at the end.

Drama thriller: In which the story consists of the elements of a thriller and drama film. These films are usually slower paced and involve a great deal of character development along with plot twists. Examples include The illusionist, The Interpreter and The Prestige. These are focused mainly on audiences who are focused on character build up on pro/antagonist characters that would reveal a secret towards the audience such as gossip.

Psychological Thriller: In which (until the often violent resolution) the conflict between the main characters is mental and emotional, rather than physical. The Alfred Hitchcock films Suspicion, Shadow of a Doubt, and Strangers on a Train and David Lynch's bizarre and influential Blue Velvet are notable examples of the type, as is The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highstands and The Good Sons starring Elijah Wood and Macaulay Culkin. This sub genre is fairly popular amongst the audience as it often plays mind tricks which help pull the audience further on to solve it at the end of the film.