Thriller

The thriller is a broad genre of literature, film, and television, with numerous overlapping sub-genres. Thrillers are suspenseful adventures with fast-paced plots and action, where resourceful heroes are pitted against villains, with the hero facing danger alone, or in the company of a small band of companions.

The hero may be a law enforcement agent, a journalist, a soldier, or an ordinary citizen, drawn into danger and intrigue by circumstances beyond his or her control. The plot is often driven by a villain, who presents obstacles that the hero must overcome.

A thriller uses suspense as an indispensable ingredient, evoking feelings of tension and excitement. Plot devices such as red herrings, foreshadowings, and cliffhangers are often employed.