action thriller
Definition
A cinematic or literary genre characterized by a fast-paced plot, high-stakes conflict, and physical stunts, designed to evoke suspense and excitement in the audience.
A film or book that blends the adrenaline-fueled set pieces of an action movie with the psychological tension and plot twists traditional to the thriller genre.
Examples
He spent the weekend marathon-watching classics like Die Hard and Speed, noting that the genre has shifted from grounded stunt work to CGI-heavy spectacles.
Casting an actor embroiled in a real-world career-derailing scandal to star in an action thriller is perhaps the genre's most desperate attempt at a comeback narrative yet.
If your movie’s plot relies more on the protagonist's questionable off-screen life than actual suspense, it’s less of an action thriller and more of a PR emergency.