Stereotypical Characters in Thriller Films

By Bethlehem Gebretinsae

Stereotypical Characters• A stereotype is a way in which the people think of a specific

thing. It is the first thought that pops into their head when they think about something.

• For example, when people think of Blonde females, the stereotype is that they “aren’t bright, always the victim and dopey”.

Female Characters• Almost every thriller film has a female

victim. They are presented as vulnerable and in need of protection.

• This representation is seen as sexist to many people in the audience.

• It is usually the young, blonde and attractive females that appeal to a wider male audience. These females are usually seen as annoying, vulnerable and more likely to get killed in a gruesome way.

• This characters are used to build up suspense in the audience as their behavior puts the audience at the edge of their seats.

Hero• The hero in films is usually a male

protagonist. They are portrayed as strong and have a masculine build.

• They are the brave and confident characters although in most cases they don’t always beat the villain, regardless they still are labeled as the hero.

Villains• Villains can come in any shape or form such as a

serial killer, demonic possession, ghost and/or monster.

• If they come in a human form, they usually wear a mask to cover their faces, this adds a mysterious atmosphere to keep the audience wanting more.

• They never react to injuries in a normal way, they somehow heal up quickly and are able to get back up like normal. This makes them inhuman.

• They are invented to bring fear upon the audience and build up the suspense throughout the film. They don’t go against the typical codes and conventions.