History of the thriller genre
- 1. By Kelechi Okorie History of the thriller genre
- 2. When retiring police Detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) tackles a final case with the aid of newly transferred David Mills (Brad Pitt), they discover a number of elaborate and grizzly murders. They soon realize they are dealing with a serial killer (Kevin Spacey) who is targeting people he thinks represent one of the seven deadly sins. Somerset also befriends Mills' wife, Tracy (Gwyneth Paltrow), who is pregnant and afraid to raise her child in the crime-riddled city. Initial release: September 22, 1995 (USA) Director: David Fincher Running time: 2h 8m Screenplay: Andrew Kevin Walker Cinematography: Darius Khondji
- 3. The Dark Knight Rises 2012 film It has been eight years since Batman (Christian Bale), in collusion with Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman), vanished into the night. Assuming responsibility for the death of Harvey Dent, Batman sacrificed everything for what he and Gordon hoped would be the greater good. However, the arrival of a cunning cat burglar (Anne Hathaway) and a merciless terrorist named Bane (Tom Hardy) force Batman out of exile and into a battle he may not be able to win. Release date: July 20, 2012 (United Kingdom) Director: Christopher Nolan Running time: 2h 45m Film series: Dark Knight trilogy Featured songs: The Fire Rises, Gotham's Reckoning
- 4. In Steven Spielberg's massive blockbuster, palaeontologists Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) and mathematician Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) are among a select group chosen to tour an island theme park populated by dinosaurs created from prehistoric DNA. While the park's mastermind, billionaire John Hammond (Richard Attenborough), assures everyone that the facility is safe, they find out otherwise when various ferocious predators break free and go on the hunt. Release date: July 16, 1993 (United Kingdom) Director: Steven Spielberg Running time: 2h 7m Initial DVD release: October 10, 2000 Featured songs: Theme From Jurassic Park, Welcome To Jurassic Park, Journey to the Island
- 5. Thomas (Dylan O'Brien), a teenager, arrives in a glade at the center of a giant labyrinth. Like the other youths dumped there before him, he has no memory of his previous life. Thomas quickly becomes part of the group and soon after demonstrates a unique perspective that scores him a promotion to Runner status -- those who patrol the always-changing maze to find an escape route. Together with Teresa (Kaya Scodelario), the only female, Thomas tries to convince his cohorts that he knows a way out. Release date: October 10, 2014 (United Kingdom) Director: Wes Ball Running time: 1h 53m Film series: Maze Runner Adapted from: The Maze Runner
- 6. In what was once North America, the Capitol of Panem maintains its hold on its 12 districts by forcing them each to select a boy and a girl, called Tributes, to compete in a nationally televised event called the Hunger Games. Every citizen must watch as the youths fight to the death until only one remains. District 12 Tribute Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has little to rely on, other than her hunting skills and sharp instincts, in an arena where she must weigh survival against love. Release date: March 23, 2012 (United Kingdom) Director: Gary Ross Running time: 2h 22m Featured song: Safe & Sound Film series: The Hunger Games
- 7. After receiving a license to kill, British Secret Service agent James Bond (Daniel Craig) heads to Madagascar, where he uncovers a link to Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), a man who finances terrorist organizations. Learning that Le Chiffre plans to raise money in a high-stakes poker game, MI6 sends Bond to play against him, gambling that their newest "00" operative will topple the man's organization. Release date: November 16, 2006 (United Kingdom) Director: Martin Campbell Running time: 2h 25m Featured song: You Know My Name Film series: James Bond Film Series
- 8. One night per year, the government sanctions a 12-hour period in which citizens can commit any crime they wish -- including murder -- without fear of punishment or imprisonment. Leo, a sergeant who lost his son, plans a vigilante mission of revenge during the mayhem. However, instead of a death-dealing avenger, he becomes the unexpected protector of four innocent strangers who desperately need his help if they are to survive the night. Initial release: July 18, 2014 (USA) Director: James DeMonaco Running time: 1h 43m Initial DVD release: October 21, 2014 (USA) Genres: Horror, Thriller, Action Film
- 9. Seeking solace from his dark past, Logan (Hugh Jackman), better known as Wolverine, seems to have found love and contentment with Kayla Silverfox (Lynn Collins). Logan's peaceful existence is shattered when Victor Creed (Liev Schreiber), his vicious brother, brutally murders Kayla. Logan's thirst for revenge propels him into the Weapon X program, where he undergoes a painful procedure to bond his bones with adamantium, making him virtually indestructible and more than a match for Victor. Release date: April 29, 2009 (United Kingdom) Director: Gavin Hood Running time: 1h 47m Film series: X-Men Screenplay: David Benioff, Skip Woods
- 10. When U.S. government operative Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his mentor, Jim Phelps (Jon Voight), go on a covert assignment that takes a disastrous turn, Jim is killed, and Ethan becomes the prime murder suspect. Now a fugitive, Hunt recruits brilliant hacker Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) and maverick pilot Franz Krieger (Jean Reno) to help him sneak into a heavily guarded CIA building to retrieve a confidential computer file that will prove his innocence. Initial release: May 22, 1996 (USA) Director: Brian De Palma Running time: 1h 50m Film series: Mission: Impossible Initial DVD release: January 17, 1998