Conventions of a Thriller

Conventions
Plot

The plot is usually a battler - either physically or mentally - between good and evil, for example a hero fighting to save his girlfriend from the evil clutches of a criminal mastermind, or a hero fighting evil thoughts and feelings that are battling inside of him. This will include a growing threat, one the hero is fully aware of.

For example Sherlock, in Sherlock, is aware that Moriarty, the villain, is out their and plotting against him, so there is a constant threat.

Characters

The Heroes of a thriller, typically men, are typically cops (Seven, Die-hard), spies (James Bond, Bourne), jouranlists (Zodiack, State of Play) or normal everyday people (The 39 steps) who have been dragged into action. All of them have similar traits, brave, handsome, caring and able to kick butt.

For example James Bond - smart dress code, fancy watch, expensive car, ladies man, drinker and a licence to kill.

The damsel in distress is also common in a thriller film, they are typically ordinary women, nothing extraordinary about them. These women find themselves i the thick of the action after a chance meeting. Now the hero has to stop the villain and protect this women, adding an extra layer to the film.

The villain of the thriller is also conventionally a man; a rich, dangerous man who you wouldn't know is a villain just by looking at him. They are smart and calculating, patient and dangerous. A great match for the hero. 

Plot

The plot evolves around a mystery, something that keeps the audience and hero in suspense. Where are they? How can I stop him? 
The hero isn't aware of the villains plot right away, he has to interrogate and find clues to get the whole picture and stop the evil doing. 
The Hero has a chance with the damsel in distress, she may be minding her own business, drinking coffee, sorting something out at the bank - but without warning she gets caught up in the plot; she may witness a crime, find a important document or save a wounded hero. 
The Hero and Damsel now work together to stop the crime. 
The villain may kidnap the damsel, or get the hero to come to his hideout. This is a trap and the hero is falling right into it.
There is a final confrontation - somebody may die; because it is a thriller it could be the villain or it could also be the hero.


The thriller genre is more complex - the villain may not be a man but a spirit, a thought or a natural disaster. The hero may be a spy, or a geologist, a patient, doctor or an ordinary person. The damsel in distress could be a child that they have to protect, or a man. 


Plots in general 


A geologist discovers that the earth is dying --> People mock him --> He was right --> The earth start to flood and spit lava --> The hero travels to a certain place to rescue their son --> The son and the geologist travel to a safe place --> A big earthquake happens destroying everything --> They survive. 


A spy is asked to investigate a criminal mastermind --> The villain has kidnapped a female spy from another organization --> The Hero says the girl and they team up --> They discover a plot to destroy something big --> The villain destroys the hero reputation and gets him fired or decommissioned --> The hero and girl have a final confrontation with the villain --> The villain dies.


A man has weird visions --> Nobody believes him --> He goes to a doctor, who is also skeptical --> The man has a really bad vision --> The Doctor finally believes him, but is it too late? --> The visions take over --> The Doctor has a confrontation with the supernatural --> They survive.