The Evolution of Hollywood's Thriller Genre
Hollywood’s thriller genre has continuously evolved over the years, becoming one of the most recognized and celebrated film categories. The genre hinges on tension, suspense, and excitement. It’s a multiplex-friendly and universally appealing genre that keeps audiences at the edge of their seats.
The Olden Days
Way back in the early 1900s, thriller movies were few and far between. However, those days saw the birth of the crime-thriller genre. The genre picked up via the silent movies era, as films depicting criminal activities became largely popular.
During the 1940s, the thriller genre evolved and expanded into more sub-genres. Spy movies, suspense thrillers, and film noir became a phenomenon. These formative years set the bar for some of the greatest movies in the history of cinema.
The Golden Age
The 1960s through to the 1980s can be described as the golden age of the thriller genre in Hollywood. The success of films such as "Psycho", "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Exorcist" set off the golden era of horror-thriller movies.
The golden age of thriller movies brought about audience attraction to the thrilling and suspenseful storylines, creating a drive for directors to push the limits of the genre. These directors created movies that are considered masterpieces - films like "The Godfather", "Jaws" and "The French Connection".
The Modern Era
Moving into the 21st century, the thriller genre continued to thrive across multiple sub-genres such as action-thrillers, sci-fi thrillers, and psychological thrillers.
"The Dark Knight" represented a tipping point in the thriller genre worldwide. The movie received critical acclaim and featured a darker and more grounded take on the Batman comic book universe. It became a point of reference for future action-thriller movies.
The genre has seen some other great films over the years. Movies like "The Social Network", "Inception", "Gone Girl", and the "John Wick" series continue to demonstrate the evolution and strength of the genre.
Final Thoughts
The world of Hollywood has seen interesting years of the thriller genre, with continuous evolution in the sub-genres, characters and stories portrayed in the movies. Audience increasing appetite for films filled with adrenaline, excitement, and suspense has kept the industry on its toes. We can definitely expect a lot more from Hollywood’s thriller genre in the years to come!