Research: Definition of Thriller

The best definition I could find of the Thriller genre was this:

'Thriller is a genre of fiction in which tough, resourceful, but essentially ordinary heroes are pitted against villains determined to destroy them, their country, or the stability of the free world. Part of the allure of thrillers comes from not only what their stories are about, but also how they are told. High stakes, non-stop action, plot twists that both surprise and excite, settings that are both vibrant and exotic, and an intense pace that never lets up until the adrenalin packed climax.'

I agree with this definition because I feel it encompasses the main aspects of the genre, namely the importance of a plot that makes the audience have to think and which intrigues and surprises them, and the build up of tension throughout the film. The ability of film to draw the audience into the world of the Thriller through the settings and the ability to relate to the main charcter/s is also essential.