The supernatural thriller genre is a subcategory of both the thriller and supernatural genres, combining elements of suspense, tension, and excitement with aspects of the supernatural or paranormal. This genre often involves a protagonist who is drawn into a conflict with forces beyond human understanding or control. The supernatural thriller genre is characterized by a unique blend of suspenseful, thrilling elements and supernatural phenomena, often resulting in a gripping, eerie, and sometimes terrifying narrative.
Supernatural thrillers can take many forms, from ghost stories and haunted house tales to narratives involving demons, witches, vampires, and other supernatural creatures. They can also incorporate elements of other genres, such as mystery, horror, fantasy, and science fiction. Regardless of their specific form, all supernatural thrillers share a common goal: to keep the reader on the edge of their seat, constantly guessing what will happen next, while also confronting them with the unknown and the inexplicable.
Origins and Evolution of the Supernatural Thriller Genre
The origins of the supernatural thriller genre can be traced back to the Gothic literature of the 18th and 19th centuries, which often featured supernatural elements and a sense of dread and suspense. Over time, these elements were incorporated into the emerging thriller genre, resulting in the creation of the supernatural thriller subgenre.
Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, the supernatural thriller genre has evolved and expanded, incorporating elements from various other genres and reflecting changing societal fears and anxieties. For example, the rise of technology and science in the 20th century led to the creation of supernatural thrillers that explored the tension between science and the supernatural, while the post-9/11 era has seen an increase in supernatural thrillers that grapple with themes of terrorism and global insecurity.
Key Works and Authors
Several key works and authors have played a significant role in shaping the supernatural thriller genre. These include authors like Stephen King, whose works often blend elements of horror and suspense with supernatural phenomena; Dean Koontz, known for his suspenseful, fast-paced supernatural thrillers; and Anne Rice, whose Vampire Chronicles series helped popularize the supernatural thriller genre.
Key works in the supernatural thriller genre include King’s ‘The Shining‘, which combines a tense, suspenseful narrative with a haunted hotel and a child with psychic abilities; Koontz’s ‘Odd Thomas‘ series, which follows a short-order cook who can communicate with the dead; and Rice’s ‘Interview with the Vampire‘, which explores the existential angst of immortality through the lens of a vampire’s centuries-long life.
Characteristics of Supernatural Thriller Books
Supernatural thriller books are characterized by a number of key elements, including a suspenseful, tension-filled plot; the presence of supernatural or paranormal phenomena; a protagonist who is often an ordinary person thrown into extraordinary circumstances; and a narrative that keeps the reader guessing until the very end.
The supernatural elements in these books can take many forms, from ghosts and spirits to demons, witches, vampires, and other supernatural creatures. These elements are often used to create a sense of unease and terror, as well as to challenge the protagonist and drive the plot forward.
Plot Structure
The plot structure of a supernatural thriller often involves a protagonist who is drawn into a conflict with supernatural forces. This conflict can be triggered by a variety of events, such as the discovery of a haunted house, the appearance of a ghost or demon, or the protagonist’s own supernatural abilities.
Throughout the course of the story, the protagonist must confront these supernatural forces, often while also dealing with their own fears and insecurities. The climax of the story typically involves a confrontation between the protagonist and the supernatural forces, with the protagonist ultimately overcoming these forces (although not always).
Themes and Motifs
Supernatural thrillers often explore a variety of themes and motifs, including fear of the unknown, the tension between science and the supernatural, the struggle between good and evil, and the nature of reality and perception. These themes are often explored through the protagonist’s confrontation with the supernatural forces and their attempts to understand and overcome these forces.
For example, a supernatural thriller might explore the theme of fear of the unknown through a protagonist who is forced to confront a ghost or demon, or the tension between science and the supernatural through a protagonist who uses scientific methods to try to understand and combat the supernatural forces. Similarly, the struggle between good and evil might be explored through a protagonist who must fight against a demonic force, while the nature of reality and perception might be explored through a protagonist who has supernatural abilities that allow them to perceive things that others cannot.
Impact and Influence of the Supernatural Thriller Genre
The supernatural thriller genre has had a significant impact on popular culture, influencing a wide range of media including literature, film, television, and video games. Its combination of suspense, tension, and the supernatural has proven to be a compelling formula, attracting a large and diverse audience.
Furthermore, the supernatural thriller genre has also influenced other genres, contributing to the development of subgenres like paranormal romance and urban fantasy. It has also played a role in the rise of the ‘dark fantasy’ genre, which combines elements of fantasy with darker, more horror-like themes.
Adaptations
Many supernatural thrillers have been adapted into films, television shows, and video games, further expanding the reach and influence of the genre. These adaptations often take liberties with the source material, adding or changing elements to suit the medium or to appeal to a wider audience.
For example, Stephen King’s ‘The Shining‘ was famously adapted into a film by Stanley Kubrick, which, while critically acclaimed, was also controversial for its significant departures from the source material. Similarly, Anne Rice’s ‘Interview with the Vampire‘ was adapted into a successful film starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, while Dean Koontz’s ‘Odd Thomas‘ was adapted into a film starring Anton Yelchin.
Future of the Supernatural Thriller Genre
The future of the supernatural thriller genre looks promising, with a steady stream of new books being published each year and a growing interest in supernatural and paranormal phenomena in popular culture. As society continues to grapple with issues of fear, uncertainty, and the unknown, it is likely that the supernatural thriller genre will continue to evolve and adapt, reflecting these concerns in its narratives.
Furthermore, with the rise of digital media and online publishing, the supernatural thriller genre is likely to reach an even wider audience, as authors and publishers take advantage of these platforms to distribute their works. This could lead to an even greater diversity of voices and perspectives within the genre, further enriching its narratives and themes.
Kathryn Taylor was born and raised in the Midwest and has been a book lover and writer since childhood. As a queer teenager, she found solace in writing, and has written professionally ever since graduating from college. She loves a variety of fiction book genres, including romance books, thrillers, YA, sci-fi, and adventure. She's also a fan of the Oxford comma.
Kathryn has received numerous awards for her writing and now writes exclusively for RT Book Reviews. She is a passionate activist in the LGBTQ+ community, speaking at conferences and leading queer writing workshops. When not reading and writing, Kathryn enjoys visiting local libraries and bookstores across the country, exploring new cities, and spending time with her family.
