Target audience

The target audience varies on the sub-genre of the thriller. The target audience is split into three parts which is gender, age and social class. These three help to define the target audience of the film along with the content. All thrillers are either 12/12A, 15, or 18+ due to the content being violent or use of cursive language.

Active audience: This is when the audience gets involved with the film. An audience usually becomes active when montage editing is used because the audience has to interpret their view of what happened as they only got a glimpse from the film itself.

12/12A films:

Films that are rated 12 or 12A aren't suitable for people under the age of 12. 

• Moderate language is allowed.
• Dangerous behaviour or actions shouldn't be dwelled upon in the film or able to be copied by members of the audience.
• Use of drugs must me minimal or infrequent.
• Moderate violence is allowed but not allowed to be shown in detail.
• Moderate psychological threat is allowed but not allowed to be extensive.

15 films: 

Films that are rated 15 aren't suitable for people under the age of 15.

• Frequent strong language is allowed unlike age twelve films.
• Accessible weapons can be shown but not dwelled upon.
• Drugs may be shown but not promoted.
• Violence is allowed but shouldn't focus on pain or injury.
• Strong threats are allowed but not if they're sexualised.

18 films: Films that are rated 18 aren't suitable for people under the age of 18.

Not much content isn't allowed in eighteen rated movies due to its adult rating other than the following:

• Material in breach of criminal law or created through criminal offence isn't permitted.
• Detailed violent or dangerous acts, illegal drug use, or anything which may cause harm to public health or morals isn't permitted.

All information was gathered from the BBFC, displaying their guidelines towards film ratings. All films must be sent off and rated by the BBFC before public release.