This document provides a summary and analysis of the film script for "The Girl on the Train". It discusses several key elements of the script: 1) The style of the script follows generic film script conventions through its use of monologues, location/character descriptions, and dialogue. 2) The narrative structure is non-linear, told from the perspectives of 3 female characters and their varying accounts of events, using techniques like flashbacks and alternative story versions. 3) The genre is a combination of mystery, thriller and drama aimed at mature audiences through its depiction of death, violence, alcohol and sexuality. 4) The target audience is mainly adults and teenagers, specifically women who have read the

1. THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN – FILM SCRIPT
STYLE – The media is film and the film was distributed by
Univ ersalPictures and produced by DreamWorks Pictures,
Reliance Entertainment and MarcPlatt Productions. The
script shows thegenericstyleof most film scripts, this is due to
the layout,as it begins with a monologue toset the scene,alike
most films.In addition, thespecific location, description and
dialogue is similarly shown alike other scripts.This script by
Univ ersalhas the backstory,an ov er voice and then backtothe
backstory, continuing tothe dialogue.It alsointroduces the
main character,Racheland her point of v iew.This may
indicatewe willexperience different character’s POVs. The
language style is quite lengthy for an opening,this could
suggest the plot is complicated.
NARRATIVE STRUCTURE- This film doesn’t have a
ty picalnarrative structure,therefore it’s a non-linear.This is
due tothe film essentially split into3. This is the 3 perspectives
of the female characters whoaretelling their own point of v iew
of the v ents that have occurred.Allan Cameron:Modular
narratives (2008)his Anachronic structure which modifies
flashbacks and there is noclear dominancebetween each
narrativethreads. In addition,Cameron’s Forking-path is also
used within the narrative.This is where there arealternative
v ersions of the story.Furthermore,another one of Cameron’s
structures is the split screen.This is the different POV’s from
each character telling their own side.
GENRE – The genre ofthis film is
mystery/thriller/drama. This is targeted at mature
teenagers and adults.Due this combination, the film
features gory elements ofdeath, swear words, misuse
of alcohol as well as scenes ofa sexual nature.The girl
on the train fits into Buckingham’s (1993) theory that
genre is in a constant process ofchangeas the
storyline isn’t purely drama ormystery or a thriller,
but it’s all three within equal parts.For example,
Rachel was manipulated to make herselfthink she is
crazy. This shows features ofa drama. Whereas, when
we see all 3 perspectives we discoverthe mystery
elements on what happened to the girl who’s missing
and potentially dead.
TARGET AUDIENCE – The target audience is
mainly adults and teenagers. This is due to all the
previously stated features which makes the rating at 15.
In addition, the key target is stereotypically women who
have read the book, skilled working/ lower middle class
(C2/C1) on the NRS social demographic scale. In
addition, on the 4C’s scale, the target would be aimed at
the ‘explorer’ who is driven by a need for discovery.
Additionally,they respond to brands thatoffer new
sensations and instant effects. They seek difference. This
is due to the discovery ofeach new detail which is added
to the mystery throughoutthe film. Furthermore, the
uses and gratification (1974) by Blumer,Katz and
McQuail, the target audiencefor the girl on the train
would fit into the ‘diversion’ category which allows the
audience to escapefrom everyday life and their routine.
This is the main target for film companies.
CONTENT- The film premieredin London on September
20, 2016,before it was theatrically released in theUnited
States on October 7,2016. The film was a box office success,
grossing $173 million worldwide,but received mixed reviews.
The girlon thetrain is about Commuter Rachel Watson (Emily
Blunt) catches daily glimpses of a seemingly perfect couple,
Scott and Megan,from the window of her train.One day,
Watson witnesses something shocking unfold in the backyard
of the strangers'home.Racheltells the authorities what she
thinks she saw after learning that Megan is now missing and
feared dead.Unable totrust her own memory,the troubled
woman begins her own investigation,while police suspect that
Rachel may have crossed a dangerous line.