Evaluation of my Thriller (Part 2)

How does your media product represent particular social groups?


Gender:
In my thriller, it was intended that men and women were to be shown in an equal light. However, the casting of the film fits into some stereotypes about men and women. The two young protagonists are shown as bing equal in the sense that both are blissfully unaware of the murderer waiting to pounce on them. However, the killer is a man. This fits in with the stereotype that men are stronger than women as he appears to overpower them both. Even though we do not see the leading lady being killed, it can be assumed that she did die as the killer was seen in her house and the film ends with a loud scream indicating that she has been caught by the killer.


Ethnic Minorities:
The only three characters in the thriller are white. Therefore, no negative or positive assumptions about ethnic minorities are made in this film and there isno racism.


Sexuality:
There is no reference to sexuality in my thriller and so neither gay people nor straight people are depicted in any way.


Age:
The cast of the thriller consists of young people. The young boy and girl on their way home from a party appear to have been drinking and so this reflects negatively on young people as underage drinking is a large problem in the UK today. The killer is also a young person, again reflecting negatively on the young population of the country.


Class:
Judging from the area and the way that the characters are all dressed, we can assume that the characters are either middle or working class. The fact that a serious crime is being committed in this area by someone of this class towards people of this class reflect badly on the lower classes.


In the thriller, two stereotypes are used which are common in thrillers: the 'young, weak blonde' and 'the hoodie'. The leading lady is small and blonde who is completely unbeknown to the predator in her house. Alfred Hitchcock always used blonde leading ladies in his thrillers, for example Janet Leigh in 'Psycho' and Tippi Hendron in 'The Birds'.
The hooded character is seen as threatening and carrying a knife: two things that people associate with hoodies. Considering that young people wear hoodies more commonly than the older generations, this reflects badly on younger generations. Also, the fact that the killer is very tall (he is 6 foot 8") shows him as being powerful and dominating over the other two characters.