The document discusses the BBFC film rating system and how it applies to thrillers. It provides details on the U, PG, 12A, 12, 15, and 18 ratings and what types of content each rating allows. For thrillers specifically, ratings typically range from 12A to 18, with most thrillers receiving a 15 rating as they contain strong language, violence, drug use, and sexual scenes. However, determining the appropriate rating can sometimes be difficult as a film may meet criteria for a lower rating but still contain frightening or otherwise unsuitable content for younger viewers.

1. BBFC RESEARCH
By Jack Harding

2. ABOUT THE BBFC
The BBFC aims to protect certain age groups against content
which may not be seen as suitable. The BBFC allows the public,
especially parents, to make viewing choices for their children
allowing them to have a better understanding of what it is the film
will contain.
On the website I found what the ratings are based around;
‘discrimination, drugs, horror, imitable behaviour, language, nudity,
sex and sexual violence.’

3. U
U’s are seen to be appropriate for all age groups as they don’t offend or harm young
viewers. U’s tend to have:
1. No discriminatory language.
2. No references to illegal drugs.
3. Scary scenes should not be long or effect younger viewers .
4. No dangerous behaviour which be copied.
5. Very mild bad language, should still not be frequent.
6. Occasional nudity, with no sexual references.
7. Mild sexual behaviour (for example, kissing) and references only (for example, to
‘making love’).
8. Mild violence only.

4. PG
PG stands for parental guidance showing how it may be inappropriate for young children but
may be suitable if parents believe it to be.
PG’s tend to have:
1. Discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly
disapproved of or in an educational or historical context.
2. References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must carry a suitable anti-drug message.
3. Frightening sequences should not be long during PG’s.
4. Potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy should not be
included.
5. Mild bad language only.
6. Natural nudity, with no sexual context.
7. Mild sex references and innuendo only.
8. Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed.

5. 12A & 12
12A’s and 12’s are much more harming to viewers showing the large change in age group between
PG’s to 12A’s and 12’s. They may consist of:
1. Discriminatory language or behaviour.
2. Use of drugs must be infrequent and should show negative effects of use.
3. Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, as long as they are not strongly detailed.
4. Dangerous behaviour (e.g. suicide) should not important as they may be copied, or appear pain or harm
free. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
5. Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’) must be infrequent.
6. Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.
7. Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed.
8. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers.
9. Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or
blood, but are allowed if justified by the plot.
10. Sexual violence is allowed only if it is implied or is brief.

6. 15
15’s so much more content than 12’s or 12A’s as the audience can cope with more explicit scenes.
1. The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.
2. Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.
3. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances is unlikely to be acceptable.
4. Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which
could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
5. There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest terms may be
acceptable if justified by the context.
6. Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail.
7. Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail.
8. Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images
are unlikely to be acceptable.
9. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be
discreet and have a strong contextual justification .

7. 18
18’s show the most explicit content as those who are able to watch it are mature enough to
cope.
1. No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may
rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.
2. 18 works are for adults and can contain strong issues such as:
3. Very strong violence
4. Frequent strong language (eg 'fuck') and/or very strong language (eg ‘cunt’)
5. Strong portrayals of sexual activity
6. Scenes of sexual violence
7. Strong horror, blood and gore
8. Discriminatory language and behaviour
9. I chose not to include the R18 rating as it has no link to research into the thriller. It was
not important to research so there was no need.

8. OUR THRILLER RATING
Overall I believe our thriller rating should range from a 12 – 15.
This is because our thriller may have an excessive use of violence,
may contain drugs and may include dangerous behaviour, such as
hanging or suicide. I do not believe that it may be higher than a 15
as there will not be a use of offensive language. This may change
over time depending on the violence used showing how a general
decision cannot be chosen and is still broad.

9. THRILLER RATINGS
Generally thrillers vary from 12A’s to 18’s. This helps to widen the target market watching the
genre. As the main group who watch films are above 18 this takes into consideration the
needs this age group may have. This may include strong violence, sexual scenes and gory
murders. Younger age groups will not be able to watch these films in the cinema giving
priority to the older audiences.
Most thrillers are 15’s as they use strong language, violence, drug use and scenes of a
sexual nature. They can vary to be higher or lower but are known to be 15’s. Plots of a
thriller are known to depend on these aspects.
Thrillers go down to a rating of a 12 so younger audiences may be able to watch them. An
example of this would be The Women in Black. This was only given a thriller rating of a 12A.
This is interesting to understand as it contains some strong scenes. For someone of this age
group this may not be seen as suitable. The problem with thriller ratings is that under the
criteria it does fit. The film does not have strong uses of: Violence, language, sexual scenes
etc. This shows it does deserve a BBFC film rating of 12/12A but it is known to scare younger
children making it hard to judge what rating some thriller films really deserve, this is
because this film may not be suitable for 12 year olds.