Film 5 - Heathers

The elements that define Heathers as a teen movie are;

• American high school
• Attractive female protagonist 
• Teenage angst
• Romance

We can see that the film aims for a teenage audience as the film is set around life in an American high school, and the different groups involved such as, the popular, the geeks, and the bullies etc.


The film spoofs high school life, and uses teen movie clichés to present teenagers in a humours way.The female protagonist is portrayed as a gullible yet rebellious school girl who wants revenge on the Heathers for the way they have treated her and others.

The locations that feature within the movie are, the school and the school kids homes 


This dark, cynical black comedy creates a shocking yet humourous mood which is achieved due to the dialogue of the teenagers and the casual violence used throughout. 

Film 4 - American pie

The key elements which signal this movie to be a teenage movie are;

• American high school
• Male Protagonist
• Sex
• Romance
• White affluent middle-class family - with a large family

We can see that the film aims towards a younger audience due to its themes of sex, puberty and alcohol. The film creates a funny side to the issues which are relatable to an older teenage audience.


The film portrays teenagers in all different lights. The film features all the typical characters from a teenage movie, cheerleaders, sportsman, geeks, musicians. 

The types of locations that feature within the movie are, homes of characters, high school, and house parties.

There is a humourous mood throughout the movie, which is achieved from the main characters and the banter between the group. Also through the relationship of the main protagonist Jim Levenstein and his parents.

Film 3 - Ferris Bueller's day off

The key elements which define the film Ferris Bueller's day off as a teenage movie are;

• Amercian high School
• White affluent middle class family with a large house
• Young male protagonist 
• Attractive female protagonist 

It is clear to see that the film signals to a younger teenage audience due the storyline of skipping school, and anticipation to whether he is caught. 

The film portrays teenagers in a humourous light, and shows a wide range of personalities throughout the movie.

There are many locations used in the movie, such as a the house, school, police station and the city.

There is a light hearted and humourous mood ceated due to Ferris' monologues throughout the film, and because of the adventures he embarks on.

Film 2 - Kidulthood

We are able to define Kidulthood as a teen movie due to the following elements;

• Teenage characters
• Teenage angst
• School
• Bullying
• Sex
• drugs
• Romance

We immediatly see that the film is for an older teenage and adult audience. this is due to it's immediate reference to drugs and sex, also some of the scenes involving bullying, show strong voilence which is not suitable for the younger crowd.


The film does not portary teenagers in the best light, however the aim of the film is to show the behaviour of teenagers which is becoming more popular in todays society, it also shows the effects of their actions.




The locations that feature within the movie are mainly the school playgroung, alleyways, and the city. 

There is dark and pensive mood created in the movie due to the language and violence, this is done within the first five minutes of the film as we see a young girl being bullied violenty, by another group of girls. However there is dark humour within the movie which comes from a group of friends.

Film 1 - Donnie Darko

The elements of a teen movie which feature in the film, Donnie Darko are;

• Young male protagonist
• White affluent middle class family, with a large house
• Family conflict

We can see tht the film signals for a teenage audience as the family conflict   between Donnie and his sister is something some teenagers may be able to relate to. Also by using a young male protagonist to a typlically male film attracts the attention of the female audience.

The film does not portray teenagers well at the beginning of the movie,as the main character, Donnie Darko, comes across as being hostile and disturbed. As we immediatly see him being rude to his mother. 

 The locations that feature within the film are the families large house,and Donnie's high school.

The film has a serious mood with dark comedy. This comes from the relationship between Donnie, his sister and his mother.