What is the Difference Between Surprise, Suspense and Thriller?

The difference between surprise, suspense, and thriller lies in the way they create tension and engage the audience in a story. Here's a breakdown of each term:

• Surprise: Surprise seeks to catch the viewer or reader off guard with a twist, often involving an unexpected turn of events or a revelation that changes the direction of the story. It is a one-time event that can create a sudden, short-lived excitement.
• Suspense: Suspense involves providing the audience with enough information to set up a dramatic question, but withholding the answer to create dramatic tension. Suspense builds through a series of events that lead to a culmination, keeping the audience engaged and invested in the story. Legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock often used suspense in his films, creating prolonged tension that kept the audience on edge. In his words, "In the second case we have provided them with fifteen minutes of suspense".
• Thriller: A thriller is a genre that includes elements of surprise and suspense, often involving situations where the characters or the audience are unaware of the full extent of the danger or conflict they face. Thrillers create a sense of continual tension and excitement, keeping the audience engaged until the resolution of the story.

In summary, surprise provides a sudden, unexpected twist, suspense builds tension gradually through the withholding of crucial information, and thrillers incorporate elements of suspense and surprise to create a continuous, engaging sense of tension throughout the story.

Comparative Table: Surprise, Suspense vs Thriller

Here is a table that highlights the differences between surprise, suspense, and thriller:

Surprise is a sudden, unexpected event that shocks the audience, while suspense is a prolonged state of anticipation and tension, with the audience actively participating in the story. Thrillers are fast-paced, action-packed stories that maintain excitement and engagement throughout.