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->''"No mere mortal can resist... the e-vil of the Thriller!"''
-->-- '''Creator/VincentPrice''', Music/MichaelJackson's "Music/{{Thriller}}"

A thriller is a genre in visual media and literature which focuses on action, fast pacing, tension, and suspense. The [[RuleOfDrama conflicts]] are usually between desperate heroes and powerful antagonists who outmatch them by a large margin. Frequent location changes, [[RaceAgainstTheClock time shortage]], and {{Cliffhanger}}s are extremely common.

Thrillers can overlap with almost any other genre. They are more defined by their plot and devices than by their content. They can be identified by [[ShapedLikeItself the thrills]] the work gives to the reader or viewer.

Modern incarnations of [=Thrillers=] seem to overlap more and more often with the {{Horror}} and ScienceFiction genres, leading to a misclassification of all Thrillers as being Horror, Science Fiction, or both.

Not to be confused with either the Music/MichaelJackson [[Music/{{Thriller}} album]] or the old Creator/BorisKarloff-hosted [[Series/{{Thriller}} anthology series]], nor yet the 1970s British anthology series. Although the Michael Jackson music video ''does'' [[MeaningfulName slightly fit in]].
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!!{{Subgenre}}s
[[index]]
* BritishConspiracyThriller
* ConspiracyThriller
* GeniusThriller
* ParanoidThriller
* PsychologicalThriller
* PuzzleThriller
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!!Medium subpages
* ThrillerLiterature
[[/index]]
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!!Related genres
* {{Horror}}
* MysteryFiction
* ScienceFiction
* SpyFiction
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!!{{Trope}}s often associated with the genre
* {{Cliffhanger}}
* MadLibThrillerTitle
* TheReveal
* TitleIn: Used to make sure the audience doesn't get confused by frequent location changes.
* TheUnReveal
* WhatCliffhanger
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!!Examples
[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
[[index]]
* ''Anime/{{AFTERLOST}}''
* ''Anime/BuddyDaddies''
* ''Anime/{{Canaan}}''
* ''Manga/DeathNote''
* ''Manga/{{Dlive}}''
* ''Manga/TheFable''
* ''Anime/HighCard''
* ''Anime/{{Kagewani}}'', overlapping with horror.
* ''Anime/TheKingOfFightersAnotherDay''
* ''Manga/LoveOfKill''
* ''Manga/{{Monster}}'', overlapping with horror.
* ''Anime/NightHeadGenesis''
* ''Anime/NightHead2041''
* ''Manga/{{Ultraman}}''
* ''Manga/UnderNinja''
* ''Manga/YamiNoAegis''
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Comic Strips]]
* ''ComicStrip/{{Fleep}}''
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Film]]
* ''Film/OneBR''
* ''Film/TenToMidnight''
* ''Film/ThirteenTzameti''
* ''Film/TwentyOneBridges''
* ''Film/TwentyTwoBullets'', overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/TwentyEightDaysLater'', overlapping with Horror.
* ''Film/FortyFive''
* ''Film/{{Accident}}''
* ''Film/LAccordeur''
* ''Film/ActOfVengeance'', overlapping with Crime and Exploitation.
* ''Film/ActsOfVengeance2017'', overlapping with Action/Martial Arts.
* ''Film/AdamChaplin''
* ''Film/TheAggressionScale'', overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/AllTheMoneyInTheWorld''
* ''Film/TheAmbulance'', also a comedy.
* ''Film/Angel1984'', overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/{{Anthropoid}}'', overlapping with historical drama and war film.
* ''Film/ApartmentZero''
* ''Film/{{Archenemy|2020}}''
* ''Film/AtomicBlonde'', overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/AtomicTrain''
* ''Film/AWOL72''
* ''Film/{{Backcountry}}'' - overlaps with Horror.
* ''Film/{{Balibo}}'', overlapping with war film.
* ''Film/{{Barbarian}}'', overlapping with horror comedy.
* ''Film/TheBank'', overlapping with drama.
* ''Film/Beast2022'' - overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/BerkshireCounty''
* ''Film/Berserk1967''
* ''Film/TheBigDollHouse''
* ''Film/ABittersweetLife''
* ''Film/BlackCatRun'', is a thriller mixed with action and mystery elements.
* ''Film/TheBlackDahlia''
* ''Film/BlackSite''
* ''[[Literature/BlackSundayThomasHarris Black Sunday]]'', overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/BlackWake''
* ''Film/BlackWidow1987''
* ''Film/{{Blooded}}''
* ''Film/BloodRansom''
* ''Film/BloodSimple''
* ''Film/Bluebeard1972''
* ''Film/ABlueprintForMurder'', overlapping with Film Noir.
* ''Film/{{Body}}''
* ''Film/BodyOfLies''
* ''Film/TheBourneSeries'', overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/TheBoyNextDoor''
* ''Film/{{Brake}}''
* ''Film/{{Breakdown}}''
* ''Film/{{Buried}}''
* ''Film/BurningBright''
* ''Film/Cadaver2020''
* ''Film/TheCall''
* ''Film/TheCastleOfFuManchu''
* ''Film/TheChainReaction'' is a thriller mixed with action and DisasterMovie elements.
* ''Film/{{Charade}}''
* ''Film/{{Chariot}}''
* ''Film/{{Circle}}''
* ''Film/{{Cleanskin}}''
* ''Film/TheClovehitchKiller''
* ''Film/CocaineBear''
* ''Film/Code8''
* ''Film/ColdComesTheNight'', a crime thriller.
* ''Film/ColdSweat''
* ''Film/TheColony2016'': Overlaps with historical drama.
* ''Literature/{{Coma}}''
* ''Film/ComingHomeInTheDark''
* ''Film/TheCommuter''
* ''Film/ConfessionsOfAPsychoCat''
* ''Film/TheConspiracy'', overlapping with Horror.
* ''Film/Criminal2016''
* ''Film/CryWolf1947''
* ''The Cube'' series
** ''Film/{{Cube}}'', overlapping with Science Fiction and Horror.
** ''Film/Cube2Hypercube''
** ''Film/CubeZero''
* ''Film/CutToTheChase''
* ''Film/DarkAsylum''
* ''Film/TheDarkKnightTrilogy'' is a thriller mixed with superhero and [[FilmNoir neo-noir]]. Each of the movies qualifies in different ways:
** ''Film/BatmanBegins'' fits this genre in the second half of the movie, as the first half focused on Batman's origins.
** ''Film/TheDarkKnight'' is a crime thriller throughout the whole movie.
** ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'' is a thriller mixed with DisasterMovie elements.
* ''Film/TheDayTheEarthCaughtFire'', overlapping with DisasterMovie.
* ''Film/DeathAndCremation''
* ''Film/DeathMachines'', overlapping with Action/Martial Arts.
* ''Film/DeathWeekend''
* ''Film/DeepGold''
* ''Film/{{Deliverance}}'' - overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/Detonator2003''
* ''Film/DontBreathe''
* ''Film/DontHangUp''
* ''Film/{{Downrange}}''
* ''Film/{{Duel}}''
* ''Film/ElizabethHarvest'' - overlapping with Science-Fiction.
* ''Film/{{Eloise}}''
* ''Film/TheEndWeStartFrom''
* ''Film/EscapeRoom2017'' - overlapping with Horror.
* ''Film/EscapingDad''
* ''Film/{{Eternal}}'' - overlapping with Horror.
* ''Film/EvenLambsHaveTeeth'' - overlapping with Horror.
* ''Film/{{Everly}}''- overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/Exit2019'' - overlapping with comedy and DisasterMovie elements.
* ''Film/Exit0''
* ''Film/ExMachina'', - overlapping with Science-Fiction.
* ''Film/TheFaceOfFuManchu''
* ''Film/FairGame'' - overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/{{Faster}}'' - overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/{{Fall}}''
* ''Film/{{Fatale|2020}}''
* ''Film/{{Femme Fatale|2002}}''
* ''Film/FinalGirl'' - overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/{{Flareup}}''
* ''Film/ForceOfNatureTheDry2''- overlapping with Mystery
* ''Film/{{Freeway}}'' - overlapping with Comedy.
* ''Film/FriendOfTheWorld'' - overlapping with Horror.
* ''Film/Frozen2010'' - overlapping with action.
* ''Film/GetawayPlan''
* ''Film/TheGhostAndTheDarkness'' - overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/GhostLab2021''
* ''Film/TheGift2015'' a PsychologicalThriller
* ''Film/{{Glasshouse}}'' - Overlapping with Science-Fiction.
* ''Film/GoliathAwaits''
* ''Film/TheGoodDoctor2011''
* ''Film/GoodNeighbors''
* ''Film/AGoodWomanIsHardToFind''
* ''Film/GrandpasPsycho''
* ''Film/TheGrey'', overlapping with Action/survival
* ''Film/TheGuest'' , overlapping with Mystery and Action.
* ''Film/HardCandy''
* ''Film/{{Harlequin}}''
* ''Film/{{Heat}}''
* ''Film/Heatwave2022''
* ''Film/HellDrivers''
* ''Film/{{Hidden}}''
* ''Film/{{Highwaymen}}''
* ''Film/TheHitList''
* ''Film/HitTeam''
* ''Film/{{Horrorvision}}''
* ''Film/HoundsOfLove''
* ''Film/TheHuntForRedOctober''
* ''Film/TheHunted1995''
* ''Film/TheHunter''
* ''Film/TheImmortals'', overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/TheIncident''
* ''Film/Infamous2020''
* ''Film/IntoTheGrizzlyMaze''
* ''Film/{{Intruders}}''
* ''Film/ISawWhatYouDid''
* ''Film/TheIsland1980''
* ''Film/JacobsLadder'', overlapping with horror.
* ''Film/{{Jackdaw}}''
* ''Film/JacksBack'', overlapping with SupernaturalThriller.
* ''Film/JackTheRipper1976''
* ''Film/JigenDaisuke2023''
* ''Film/JohnDoeVigilante''
* ''Film/JoshuuSasori'', overlapping with Crime.
* ''Film/JuliaX'', overlaps with Horror.
* ''Film/{{Juncture}}''
* ''Franchise/JurassicPark''
* ''Film/{{Kalifornia}}''
* ''Film/{{Kimi}}''
* ''Film/KnockAtTheCabin''
* ''Film/LeaveTheWorldBehind'', a horror-thriller overlapping with drama.
* ''Film/TheLesson''
* ''Film/Level16''
* ''Film/TheLittleGirlWhoLivesDownTheLane''
* ''Film/LittleWoods''
* ''Film/TheLoft''
* ''Film/ALonelyPlaceToDie''
* ''Film/LowTide''
* ''Film/KildTV''
* ''Film/KillerUnderTheBed''
* ''Film/KindergartenCop'', overlapping with comedy.
* ''Film/{{Kisapmata}}''
* ''Film/{{Kruel}}''
* ''Film/TheMadMagician''
* ''Film/Mako2021''
* ''Film/ManOnFire1987''
* ''Film/ManOnFire2004''
* ''Film/ManVs'', overlapping with science fiction and horror.
* ''Film/Masquerade2021''
* ''Film/TheMatrix'', overlapping with Cyberpunk.
* ''Film/MenAtWork1990''
* ''Film/{{Mesrine}}''
* ''Film/{{MFA}}''
* ''Film/Mom2017'', a crime thriller overlapping with drama.
* ''Film/MoneyMonster''
* ''Film/MonsterParty'', overlapping with horror.
* ''Film/NakedFear''
* ''Film/TheNegotiation''
* ''Film/NemesisGame''
* ''Film/{{Nerve}}''
* ''Film/NewTownKillers''
* ''Film/NightAfterNightAfterNight''
* ''Film/TheNightOfTheHunter'', overlapping with Crime and Horror.
* ''Film/NoEscape2015''
* ''Film/NoGoodDeed2002''
* ''Film/NoTearsForTheDead''
* ''Film/{{Numb}}''
* ''Film/TheOccupant''
* ''Film/OpenGrave'', overlapping with Horror.
* ''Film/PanicRoom''
* ''Film/Paranoid2000''
* ''Film/Parasite2019'', overlapping with {{Dramedy}}.
* ''Film/{{Pathology}}''
* ''Film/PerfectAssassins'', overlapping with Action and Mystery
* ''Film/ThePhantomExpress1932'', overlapping with Mystery.
* ''Film/Pitch2009'', overlapping with Fantasy.
* ''Film/ThePlayground'' (2017)
* ''Film/PoisonIvy'' (1992)
* ''Film/PokerNight''
* ''Film/ThePower1968'', overlapping with Science Fiction.
* ''Film/{{Preservation}}'', overlapping with Horror.
* ''Film/ThePresidentsLastBang''
* ''Film/{{Prisoners}}''
* ''Film/TheProfessional'', overlapping with Action and Criminal Procedural.
* ''Film/TheProwler1951'', overlapping with Film Noir.
* ''Film/ThePurgeUniverse''
** ''Film/ThePurge1'', overlapping with Horror and Science Fiction.
** ''Film/ThePurgeAnarchy''
** ''Film/ThePurgeElectionYear''
** ''Film/TheFirstPurge''
** ''Film/TheForeverPurge''
* ''Film/TheQuiet''
* ''Film/{{Quick}}''
* ''Film/RattleTheCage''
* ''Film/RearWindow''
* ''Film/RedHill''
* ''Film/{{Replicas}}''
* ''Film/ReservoirDogs'', overlapping with Crime And Punishment.
* ''Film/Resurrection1999'', overlapping with Horror.
* ''Film/Retribution2023'', overlapping with action.
* ''Film/TheRiverWild'', overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/RiverWild'', overlapping with Adventure and Mystery.
* ''Film/Rogue2020'', overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/{{Rollercoaster}}'', overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/RollingThunder'', overlapping with crime, action and ExploitationFilm.
* ''Film/TheRoom2019''
* ''Film/TheRoommate''
* ''Film/RunawayJury'', overlapping with Crime and Punishment, and LawProcedural.
* ''Film/RunForTheSun'', overlapping with Adventure.
* ''Film/TheSadist'', overlapping with Horror.
* ''Film/SaferAtHome''
* ''Film/AScoreToSettle'', overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/ScreamAndScreamAgain'', overlapping with SciFiHorror.
* ''Film/SeaOfLove''
* ''Film/SelfDefense''
* ''Film/TheShadowMen'' overlapping with Science Fiction.
* ''Film/{{Shiri}}''
* ''Film/{{Shooter}}''
* ''Film/{{Shockwave}}''
* ''Film/ShutIn'', overlapping with Horror.
* ''Film/{{Shuttle}}''
* ''Film/TheSilenceOfTheLambs'', overlapping with Horror.
* ''Film/SilentRage''
* ''Film/Siren2010'', a psychological thriller overlapping with horror.
* ''Film/SistersOfDeath''
* ''Film/TheSixthSense''
* ''Film/SkinTrade'', overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/{{Sleepers}}''
* ''Film/Snapshot1979''
* ''Film/{{Sneakers}}''
* ''Film/TheSnowman2017'', overlapping with Horror.
* ''Film/SoftAndQuiet'' (2022)
* ''Film/{{Solace}}''
* ''Film/{{Songbird}}''
* ''Film/SonOfAGun''
* ''Film/SoundOfFreedom'', overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/{{Split}}''
* ''Film/{{Stag}}''
* ''Film/TheStandoffAtSparrowCreek''
* ''Film/{{Stay|2005}}''
* ''Film/StrangersOnATrain''
* ''Film/StrikingDistance''
* ''Film/{{Suddenly}}''
* ''Film/TheSuppressor''
* ''Film/{{Suspect}}''
* ''Film/{{Surveillance}}''
* ''Film/TheSurvivalist''
* ''Film/SwampShark''
* ''Film/TheTakingOfPelhamOneTwoThree''
* ''Film/{{Targets}}''
* ''Film/TellNoOne''
* ''Film/TenDeadMen'', overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/{{Tesis}}''
* ''Film/Tetris2023'', overlapping with {{Biopic}}.
* ''Film/TheThieves'', overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/ThaneOfEastCounty'', overlapping with Drama
* ''ThroughBlackSpruce''
* ''Film/TiesThatBind2006'', overlapping with Drama.
* ''Film/TiesThatBind2010'', overlapping with Mystery and Crime.
* ''Film/TigerHouse'', overlapping with Crime.
* ''Film/{{Transit}}'', overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/TheTransporter'', overlapping with Action.
* ''Film/TrapForCinderella''
* ''Film/TraumaCenter2019''
* ''Film/TripleThreat2019''
* ''Film/TrustNo1''
* ''Film/{{Unbreakable}}''
* ''Film/UnderTheShadow''
* ''Film/{{Unthinkable}}''
* ''Film/{{Vitals}}''
* ''Film/{{Vivarium}}''
* ''Film/VowsOfDeceit'' - also known as ''Deadly Matrimony''
* ''Film/WalledIn''
* ''Film/WelcomeHome2018''
* ''Film/WhiteFire'', overlapping with Action
* ''Film/{{Widows}}''
* ''Film/WildThings''
* ''Film/{{Winterskin}}''
* ''Film/TheWolfsCall'' , overlapping with Drama.
* ''Film/YouWereNeverReallyHere''
* ''Film/YouthOfTheBeast''
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* ''Series/AppleTreeYard'', overlapping with crime/courtroom drama
* ''Series/{{Amerika}}''
* ''Series/{{Awaken}}'', overlapping with mystery.
* ''Series/{{Bosch}}''
** ''Series/BoschLegacy''
* ''Series/{{Braquo}}''
* ''[[Series/TwentyMinutes 20 Minutes]]'', overlapping with drama.
* ''Series/{{Cleverman}}''
* ''Series/{{Colony}}'', overlapping with drama and science fiction.
* ''Series/TheConsultant2023'', overlapping with dark comedy.
* ''Series/DareMe'', overlapping with drama and mystery.
* ''Series/DarkHole'', overlapping with science fiction.
* ''Series/Deutschland83'', overlapping with spy fiction.
* ''Series/TheDevilJudge'', overlapping with mystery.
* ''Series/{{DP}}''
* ''Series/DublinMurders''
* ''Series/TheEnemyWithin''
* ''Series/{{Fauda}}''
* ''Series/{{FBI}}''
** ''Series/FBIMostWanted''
** ''Series/FBIInternational''
* ''Series/TheFlightAttendant''
* ''Series/GoldenYears''
* ''Series/Halo2022''
* ''Series/{{Hijack}}''
* ''Series/{{Himmelsdalen}}'', overlapping with crime drama.
* ''Series/TheLastEmpress'', overlapping with mystery and romantic comedy.
* ''Series/Liar2017'', overlapping with crime drama.
* ''Series/LockedUp'', overlapping with prison drama.
* ''Series/{{Medici}}'': overlapping with historical fiction.
* ''Series/Mouse2021'', overlapping with mystery.
* ''Series/ThePenthouseWarInLife'' overlapping with mystery and drama.
* ''Series/Priest2018'', overlapping with supernatural/horror.
* ''Series/PsychopathDiary'', overlapping with comedy.
* ''Series/{{Reacher}}''
* ''Series/{{Scandal}}'', overlapping with politics and drama.
* ''Series/ShotsFired''
* ''Series/{{Snowpiercer}}''
* ''Series/{{Spotless}}''
* ''Series/TheManInTheHighCastle''
* ''Series/{{Six}}''
* ''Series/{{Skymed}}''
* ''Series/{{Tehran}}''
* ''Series/Tracker2024''
* ''Series/Tyrant2014''
* ''Series/WarOfTheWorlds2019''
* ''Series/WillTrent''
* ''Series/WTwoWorlds''
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]
* ''VideoGame/DisasterDayOfCrisis''
* ''VideoGame/FastAndFuriousCrossroads''
* ''VideoGame/FoxHunt''
* ''VideoGame/GodsWillBeWatching'', a [[PointAndClickGame Point And Click]] thriller with some ScienceFiction elements.
* ''VideoGame/MetalGear'' is a series where every installment tries to replicate feel of a thriller movie. Notably, pretty much every game features a nuclear threat, ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'' ends with a typical thriller trope where you fight the main villain with your bare hands, and both Solid 1 and ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2SonsOfLiberty'' are based ''Main/DieHardOnAnX'' premise, where you're dopped alone - with no weapons - into a facility overtaken by terrorists.
* ''VideoGame/{{Gunpoint}}'' attempts to create an interactive noir thriller, dropping the player into a near future town of West Point, which used to be a home of a thriving gun industry - but after a new gun control bill, industry has crashed and burned, and few remaining businesses became extremely ruthless to survive. Notably, the gameplay is based around outsmarting enemies and setting traps for them by hacking electric appliances, and game features mechanics that resemble thriller tropes, like ability to tackle people unarmed (even through a window, several floors down!) or hold them on gunpoint (as the title implies).
* ''VideoGame/LateShift''
* ''VideoGame/TheQuietMan''
* ''VideoGame/BloodAndTruth''
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Videos]]
* ''WebVideo/TheHire''
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/HitMonkey''
* ''WesternAnimation/TheHollow''
[[/index]]
[[/folder]]
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