Representation of Men in the Genre of Thriller

Representation of Men in the Genre of Thriller

 

When it comes to the Thriller Genre, the way gender is represented is stereotypical; for example in the majority of thriller films the male is depicted as the hero/protagonist, and the antagonist is often male also; whilst the female on the other hand is usually the victim or is someone in need of help, the damsel in distress (typical stereotype). In addition females are often represented as the hero's side kick, and are considered sex symbols/source of sexual attraction for the male Protagonist or Antagonist. 

 

Focusing on how men are represented in Thriller, a film which does this is a couple of the Bourne Films, e.g. The Bourne Identity and Bourne Legacy. In the embedded film trailer below this paragraph, we can see what I was talking about above. Especially at the very end of the trailer, where the male Protagonist is seen jumping from a rooftop to help the 'Damsel in Distress', and he reassures her by making sure she is ok. Another representation of men in Thrillers is that they are portrayed as being both physically and mentally strong, as seen in the clip where he is beating up everyone he comes across. Men also tend to take more active roles, the Protagonist, and come across as more of a team leader than females do. The male Protagonist in thriller films also tends to be brave and usually clever, as seen in a part of the clip where he puts together a make shift gun with what looks like a fire extinguisher.

 

The Bourne Legacy Trailer:

 

Male Protagonists are often stereotypically seen as the “lone hero”, and have a lot of independence. This is also true of Male Antagonists; they are often portrayed as isolated, a bit lonely, but have power. Males often restore the new equilibrium at the end of the film.

 

Another Thriller film which portrays men in this sort of way is Die Hard. John McClane (Bruce Willis) is an officer on the NYPD and after his wife and others are taken hostage at the Nakatomi Plaza, John attempts to save them.

In the Die Hard trailer below, we see Bruce Willis being the strong Protagonist attempting to save his wife who, fitting with the conventions of thriller, is the Damsel. Bruce Willis' character stays true to the typical representation of men in the thriller genre, as does the male Antagonist, he seems to be powerful as he has taken over the whole of the building. We also see Bruce Willis hurling himself down elevator shafts and running from explosions, which show he is both physically and mentally strong, as he is taking on what appears to be a squad of dangerous men.
 

Die Hard Trailer: