Genre Research

Generic conventions of a crime film;

Characters

The lead character will often be a detective or some sort of police investigator.  They will usually be a white male - 40 years old plus.  The lead character will have some sort of major personality defect or flaw such as a failed marriage, alcoholism, gambling addiction etc.

Sound
Serious and dramatic non-diegetic music.  Often this is very sombre and brooding during dark moments and fast-paced and bombastic as action sequences occur.

Narrative and Theme
The narrative will usually be centred on a detective trying to solve a crime - often a murder.  There will be an investigation taking place which involves clues and red herrings.  The killer's identity will often be revealed at the end.

Iconography
Police cars, blue flashing lights, crime scenes, police tape, murders, dark lighting, guns and weapons.

Settings
Interview rooms, urban settings, police stations, crime scenes, forensics labs, morgues, and the killer's lair - often dark, ominous and threatening.

Examples of Crime Films;

•