Conventions of a Thriller genre

The Thriller genre includes a wide range of films, however, there are some common attributes:

• The main aim for a thriller is to create excitement and suspense for the audience 
• A thriller is usually set in the city 
• The narrative in a thriller usually revolves around an enigma or investigation 
• The hero is the only one who can reveal the mystery 
• By the end of a thriller the enigma will be solved 
• There will be a rational explanation to the puzzle
• Thrillers centre on injustices in society but rights these wrongs
• It often shows the workings of establishments, for example; the army, the police
• Violent crime is paramount to a thriller
• The hero is usually moral, however, he is usually an outsider while being isolated and secretive
• The villain shares some of the hero's characteristics despite being on opposing sides