Thriller appropriate certificates

As thrillers are focused on a more mature and adult audience, the certificating of them is usually set in either 15 or 18 certificate. These are only suggestions from the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), however, and parents can allow their children, if younger than the guidance, to watch these films in their homes. For both though, people under the age of the certificate cannot see them at cinemas or purchase them from shops.


The 15 certificate means that it must not endorse discriminatory language or behavior. Drugs can be shown being taken but they cant be encouraged to be misused. A strong threat can be shown but only if it is not sexualised or sadistic. Strong language such as 'f**k' is also permitted and may be frequent however the strongest terms such as 'c**t' may not be used frequently and only used in context of the film.

Movies rated at 18 are classified in many areas such as:
where the material is in breach of any laws, or has been created through the commission of a
criminal offense. Where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to
risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault. In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films.