Researching Certificates - The BBFC

 Researching Certificates - The BBFC

In order to research certificates, I looked at the BBFC website. The BBFC is the British Board of Film Classification and their focus is to give families and children the guidance they need to choose the right film and films to avoid. 

BBFC Website

The BBFC identifies ratings as follows: 

The BBFC gives full guidance for each rating and so I could see what is and is not appropriate for children and people of all ages. 

All classification decisions are based on the BBFC's published and regularly updated guidelines, which themselves are the result of public consultation, research and experience of the BBFC over many years. 

Thriller films often receive a 15 or 18 certificate, largely because of their themes, levels of violence and scenes of a sexual nature. Below, you can see the reasons why films receive either a 15 or 18 certificate.

15 Certificate - BBFC Guidelines

18 Certificate - BBFC Guidelines

Thrillers that have received a 15 certificate include 'Se7en', 'Parasite', 'The Silence of the Lambs', 'Prisoners', 'Inception' and 'Shutter Island'.

Below is the BBFC's guidance on the reasons why 'Parasite' received a 15 certificate

'Parasite' - BBFC Guidance