Thriller films are very fast paced, and tend to keep the audience on the edge of their seat. Generally, a sense of mystery is created and audience members feel the tension and danger of the narrative and gain an adrenaline rush through watching complex and confusing plots.
Odd camera movements, creepy sound effects, extreme low-key lighting, jump cuts and other quick editing techniques are used to create apprehension and fear within the audience. These are amplified in the trailers, and are condensed to become more effective and heightens the film.
The term "thriller" covers a wide range of sub-genres, which all have slightly different target demographics. Psychological and crime thrillers tend to be aimed at a slightly older audience, due to their complex narratives and underlying meaning, and many of them are rated in the UK as an 18. Many other thrillers (Shutter Island, Panic Room) are rated at 15 due to factors such as language, violence and disturbing settings. Generally, thriller films are aimed at adult males, though many people from other social groups find enjoyment in watching films of this genre. Psychological thrillers are often appreciated by more intellectual people as they are entertained by the complexity of the plots.
In general, thrillers incorporate common elements of many different genres of films (low-key lighting/eery music - horrors, action/fight scenes/use of guns - actions films) and manipulate them to create a new idea and present it in a way that stimulates and challenges its active audience. The combination of different conventions allows for room to experiment in the way films are made, and also to create the suspense and anticipation that fans of thriller films desire.
