Thriller Opening (Research): The Genres within Thrillers

I will be looking into the many genres of thriller films as it might help me think what our thriller opening would fall into out of these.

Psychological Thrillers
Known to be mostly fictional thrillers which shows the characters unstable emotional states and shows different representations. These often emphasize on such things and give a sense of mystery, drama, action and as well as the typical horror.
An example of this type of genre is a film called Zodiac, produced by David Fincher.
A San Francisco cartoonist becomes an amateur detective obsessed with tracking down the Zodiac killer. (A basic synopsis from IMDb)

Some themes in psychological thrillers are:
 - Reality
 - Perception
 - Mind
 - Existence/Purpose
 - Identity
 - Death

Romantic Thrillers

Romantic thrillers are seen as a fictional story full of thrills though it will emphasize the romantic ideals of the characters within it and can show how much of a thriller that even romance can be. That things aren't always lovey-dovey and a much more mysterious side to it all. An example of this genre would be "The Illusionist" which was directed by Neil Burger. In turn-of-the-century Vienna, a magician uses his abilities to secure the love of a woman far above his social standing. (A basic synopsis from IMDb).

Some themes in romance thrillers are:
 - Anticipation
 - Uncertainty
 - Surprise
 - Anxiety
 - Terror
 - Obsessive Love

Medical Thrillers
This too would be a fictional film that is focused on the medical side to things, focusing on a single character or multiple with an illness or some sort of disease and follows them throughout the film. It can also follow the doctors or other medical staff that are featured within the film and learn about their side of the story and how they deal with helping patients and the sort. Many incorporate horror into this in some way as well. An example of this genre is "Anatomy" which is directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky. Medical student Paula Henning wins a place at an exclusive Heidelberg medical school. When the body of a young man she met on the train turns up on her dissection table, she begins to investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death, and uncovers a gruesome conspiracy perpetrated by an Antihippocratic secret society operating within the school. (A basic synopsis from IMDb)

Some themes in medical thrillers are:
 - Grief
 - Near-death experiences
 - Heartache
 - False hope
 - Anxiety
 - Loss

Horror Thrillers

Horror films are, once more, fictional thrillers in which it focuses on the dark and brutal sides of a certain character. These keep most on edge and are often known as "Nightmare Fuel", keeping most awake and using what we fear most, the supernatural, against us. This is something we could incorporate into our movie opening as ours is based on the ideas of ghosts and supernatural beings. An example of this genre would be "Eden Lake" which is directed by James Watkins. Refusing to let anything spoil their romantic weekend break, a young couple confront a gang of loutish youths with terrifyingly brutal consequences. (A basic synopsis from IMDb) 
Some themes in this genre consist of:
 - Demons
 - Supernatural
 - Murder
 - Paranormal activity
 - Serial killers
 - Gore

Military/Crime Thrillers

This falls under the category of being a fictional film and would most of the times follow the footsteps of a soldier involved in a war-like incident. It will follow through the events, ending in either the death of the main character, an ending which I'm sure most wouldn't want, or ending on the note of the war being won and the soldier is still alive and well. There's also the chance of it ending as the war occurs. This genre can also be known as the crime genre in which case, it follows either a police type figure or it will follow a crime/mafia figure, proceeding in a chase between the two. An example of this genre would be "Chinatown" which is directed by Roman Polanski.A private detective hired to expose an adulterer finds himself caught up in a web of deceit, corruption and murder. (A basic synopsis from IMDb)

Some themes in this genre consist of:
 - Violence
 - Weapons
 - Murder
 - Good Guy/Bad Guy
 - Tense
 - Fear

Conspiracy Thrillers

This falls under being a fictional thriller again and it focuses on a conspiracy of some kind that people point out a lot and will follow that theory throughout the film. This can be a theory that everyone/some people/one person would believe in and it would often take a while for people to believe in such a theory but most would follow it in order to give themselves a slight change of pace.

An example of this genre would be "All The President's Men" which is directed by Alan J. Pakula.

Reporters Woodward and Bernstein uncover the details of the Watergate scandal that leads to President Nixon's resignation. (A basic synopsis from IMDb)

Some themes in this genre consist of:
 - A conspiracy theory
 - Accused person
 - Secret information
 - Deduction
 - Influence
 - Improvement