Jun 19, 20242 min read

Crime Conventions - JD

Boston Strangler (2023):

Reporter Loretta McLaughlin becomes the first person to connect a series of murders in Boston. Alongside reporter Jean Cole, these two report on the most notorious serial killer ever in Boston while challenging the sexism they face. By the end, the Boston Strangler is killed in custody before writing one final article suggesting that the Boston Strangler wasn't the work of one person.

The Irishman (2019):

Based on a true story, Frank Sheeran gets involved with the work of Mob Boss Russell Bufalino and his crime family. Climbing the ranks of the family, he also works for teamster Jimmy Hoffa who is tied to organized crime. In the end, Frank Sheeran is aware of the enemies he still has out there and leaves the door open waiting for them to come.

Knives Out (2019):

Benoit Blanc investigates the murder of crime novelist Harlan Thrombey. The grandson of Harlan Thrombey, Ransom Drysdale, is revealed to be the killer and that he tried to frame nurse Marta as the killer.

Conventions of Crime Films:

Low Angle Shots are typically used to make objects/people more powerful. They dominate the screen. On the contrary, High Angle Shots are used for the opposite effect on objects/people.
Flashbacks are typically used to depict how the crime happened. Especially in "whodunnit" films.
Tense music is usually used to determine that the killer has been found out by the character or other characters or to represent that someone had died.
Use of illicit substances, knives and guns.
Large use of Enigma Codes.
In "whodunnit" films, characters are usually restricted to one location. For example, Murder on the Orient Express.
Use of Low Key Lighting.

Ideological Messages of Crime Films:

Crime films usually tend to raise issues about the distribution of social power. They discuss why people may be lead a life of crime, Eg: debt or death of a family member. In other films like Shawshank Redemption and Silence of the Lambs, they can also criticize the Criminal Justice System in various ways.

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