Codes and Conventions in Post Apocalyptic Films

Codes & Conventions:

• There's always a villain and a hero.
• The characters have to things in order to survive.
• Something catastrophic has usually happened beforehand, and the narrative is that the characters have to live in a destroyed world.
• Death and violence is something commonly represented throughout.
• The places where the characters live in are usually derelict or abandoned.
• Zombies
• The main character is usually a male, and often finds a female who needs help.
• Both non-diegetic and diegetic music/sounds are used throughout the films.
• There is always something significant which the characters have or need to find.
• Their supplies are very low, and often have to trade or kill for supplies in order to stay alive.
• Dark, low-key lighting.
• Flashbacks are often used throughout the films.

The ending of post apocalyptic films are generally similar and represent a happy ending. For example in The Book of Eli, the two characters find where they're supposed to go; Eli recites the words from his book to a man in Alcatraz, and this is known as the bible. The female character (Solara) then goes on to listen to Eli's every word on her music player; he wants to be like the next Eli.

Furthermore, in the film I Am Legend, the main character (Dr Robert Neville) finally finds way to cure the zombies. However, he sacrifices himself by making sure that he had killed the zombies; he helps to protect the female and son characters in the film. This cure then lives on under his name.

In the film The Road, a father and his son are fighting for survival. Sadly, at the end, the father dies and the son is left to fend for himself. However, he is approached by another man, who at first looks suspicious, but offers to help the young boy. The man, his wife, their children and dog all gather together to persuade the boy to join their family. In the end, he takes up their offer and decides to travel with them.