Key Elements - Crime/Thriller

The Crime/Thriller genre is a sub-genre to Crime. This means it is a typical crime film, but it includes a bit more thriller in it. The plots tend to be quite similar, with someone who has committed a crime (normally a murder) being hunted down by a powerful detective who just keeps missing the criminal.
In order to be able to create a realistic Crime/Thriller film, there is are a few key elements/conventions that need to be followed to make the film more realistic. These are:

• The main plot is focused on an investigation that needs to be solved, normally quickly.
• Suspenseful, non-diagetic music needs to be playing in a lot of scenes to build the tension and create atmosphere.
• The antagonists plans must originally be a lot more intelligent than the plans of the protagonist.
• The characters need to be realistic, so the audience believe them.
• Various scenes of action, and also psychological issues build tension and suspense, so need to be used frequently.
• Both the antagonist and protagonist face a personal issue which they both need to overcome in order to defeat the other.