thriller
Edge-of-seat fiction
A thriller is a story, film, or other work designed to create suspense, excitement, and tension.
The genre typically involves danger, pursuit, or intrigue—spy thrillers, psychological thrillers, legal thrillers.
The term also applies to anything intensely exciting: The game was a real thriller, decided in the final seconds.
Michael Jackson's 1982 album and its iconic music video made Thriller a cultural touchstone. (Capitalized Thriller typically refers to the Jackson album.)
Suspenseful unresolved ending
- tensionStretched or strained state
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
unease · apprehension · nail-biting · edge-of-seat · twist · peril · menace · jeopardy
Beyond natural explanation
- paranormalBeyond scientific explanation
- slasherKnife-wielding horror villain
- goreGraphic bloody violence
- monsterFrightening imaginary creature
survival · creature · terror · nightmare · chilling · macabre · bloodcurdling · spine-tingling
Professional crime investigator
- whodunitCrime fiction identifying perpetrator
- clueSolving aid
- investigationFormal examination of facts
- sleuthPrivate investigator
evidence · alibi · motive · culprit · forensics · deduction · interrogation · suspect
Underhanded control of others
- paranoiaIrrational persecution fears
- obsessionPersistent, intrusive preoccupation
- gaslightingManipulation causing self-doubt
- sociopathOne without conscience
stalker · dark · twisted · disturbing · unhinged · identity · deception · sinister
Covert intelligence gathering
- covertIntentionally concealed
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- agentOne who acts independently
- CIAU.S. foreign intelligence service
MI6 · Mossad · tradecraft · operative · surveillance · classified · defector · handler
Organized large-scale theft
- kidnappingUnlawful seizure of person
- homicideCausing another's death
- murderDeliberate unlawful killing
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
corruption · blackmail · extortion · smuggling · underworld · gangster · mobster · manhunt
New and unusual
- filmMovie or coating
- blockbusterEnormously successful entertainment property
- bestsellerHigh-volume publication
- screenplayFilm's written blueprint
adaptation · franchise · potboiler · action-packed · high-octane · fast-paced · plot-driven · Flynn
cliffhanger
Suspenseful unresolved ending
- tensionStretched or strained state
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
foreboding · unease · apprehension · nail-biting · edge-of-seat · twist · peril · menace · jeopardy · uncertainty
supernatural
Beyond natural explanation
- paranormalBeyond scientific explanation
- slasherKnife-wielding horror villain
- goreGraphic bloody violence
monster · survival · creature · terror · nightmare · chilling · macabre · bloodcurdling · spine-tingling · creepy
detective
Professional crime investigator
- whodunitCrime fiction identifying perpetrator
- clueSolving aid
- investigationFormal examination of facts
sleuth · evidence · alibi · motive · culprit · forensics · deduction · interrogation · suspect · revelation
manipulation
Underhanded control of others
- paranoiaIrrational persecution fears
- obsessionPersistent, intrusive preoccupation
- gaslightingManipulation causing self-doubt
sociopath · stalker · dark · twisted · disturbing · unhinged · identity · deception · sinister · cat-and-mouse
espionage
Covert intelligence gathering
- covertIntentionally concealed
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- agentOne who acts independently
CIA · MI6 · Mossad · tradecraft · operative · surveillance · classified · defector · handler · mole
heist
Organized large-scale theft
- kidnappingUnlawful seizure of person
- homicideCausing another's death
- murderDeliberate unlawful killing
conspiracy · corruption · blackmail · extortion · smuggling · underworld · gangster · mobster · manhunt · assassin
novel
New and unusual
- filmMovie or coating
- blockbusterEnormously successful entertainment property
- bestsellerHigh-volume publication
screenplay · adaptation · franchise · potboiler · action-packed · high-octane · fast-paced · plot-driven · Flynn · Patterson
- genresaction, comedy, detective fiction, fantasy, horror
- Novelsnovel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Frankenstein, Pride and Prejudice, The Great Gatsby
- storiesstory, tale, tales, myth, legend
- talestale, funny stories, tall tales, short story, yarns
- book genresfiction, novels, nonfiction, mystery, romance
- Bookstoreaisle, bestseller, bookmark, bookshelf, browse
thrillercomedy
Work meant to amuse
romantic comedy · rom-com · farce · slapstick · screwball comedy
thrillerslow burn
Gradual buildup of rage
character study · slice of life · meditation · tone poem · pastoral
- cheap thrillSuperficial, inexpensive excitement
- thrill rideAmusement designed to terrify
- thriller genreFiction built on tension
- thrill seekersPeople pursuing excitement
- thrill seekingPursuing excitement through danger
- spy thrillerFiction featuring secret agents
thrill, thrilled, thrilling, thrills, thrillers, thrill-seeker, unthrilled, unthrilling