This document discusses representations of gender in psychological thriller films. It analyzes the character of Marion Crane in Psycho, describing her as a flawed but strong female character that deviates from the typical "femme fatale" archetype. The document also discusses the male gaze in Psycho and the lack of significant female characters in Seven. It provides examples of how Jodie Foster's character in Silence of the Lambs and Helen Mirren's character in Prime Suspect take on traditionally male roles. The document also analyzes the contrasting characters of Somerset and Mills in Se7en and how Norman Bates is a complex character in Psycho shown through lighting techniques.

1. Psycho-thriller; Representations- Part 1
Representations in the Psychological Thriller-
Gender
•PSYCHO- Not male dominated. Cranes character is not passive (she steals money,
runs away) but she is
Female representations 'femme fatale' character in Marion Crane
- Flawed criminal but strong characters (her sister is determined to find her) - she stole
her bosses money. However she deviates from this stock character type at the end by
trying to give up the money- the representations are more complicated.
•Male Gaze (Laura Mulvey)- Bates watches Marion as she undresses; directer uses sex
appeal for voyeuristic audience gratification.
•SEVEN- Male dominated genre- in Seven there are no main female characters- and
Gwyneth Paltrow is the victim- used for star appeal. The only victim which the audience
sympathises with because we know her background; she is only important as she is
linked to Pitt's character. In Silence of the Lambs Jodie Foster's character plays the
man’s role- she is heading the investigation, catching the criminal, facing danger and
talking to Dr.Lecter etc. But she is not taken seriously by her male peers, until she
stands up for herself. In the conclusion, she is rewarded.
•Somerset/ Mills- The two main men are juxtaposed by their ethnicity, age and morals
(see sequence where they are getting ready for work). Somerset solves crimes by
research, procedure and observation whereas Mills uses instinct, often solving crime by
committing crime. Mills demonstrates existential values (he creates his own morals and
believes that people are good on the inside) whereas Somerset and John Doe share the
idea that people are soulless.
•PRIME SUSPECT- female lead filling a male role- more positive representations.
• Complex characters who aren't just one-sided/ simple- Norman Bates (two sides to his
character) shown by the use of chiascuro lighting (manipulation of shadow).