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Paper Title

Exploring the portrayal of female leads in psychological thrillers through psychoanalytic theory

Article Identifiers

Registration ID: IJNRD_206754

Published ID: IJNRD2310137

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Authors

Keywords

 psychoanalysis, trauma, psychological thrillers, Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, mental health, female victimisation, stereotypical representation, abuse, violence, mental disorders.

Abstract

The representation of women, which is pretty controversial at times, plays a significant part in the film and has a range of effects on the audience. Psychological thrillers, as a sub-genre of thrillers, delve into the mental and emotional states of unstable individuals to explore their psychology. The cinematic portrayal of a character endows it with an altered shape and a symbolic form, which can evoke fear in society while often disregarding the factors influencing their behaviour. Consequently, character development in this genre appears to face more stringent scrutiny than other character types. Filmmakers employ various techniques, such as tense music, dramatic storylines, jump-scare moments, and so on, to instill unease and tension in their viewers. In examining two films, "Gone Girl" (2014) and "Black Swan" (2009), this paper questions the dominance of established norms of judgment, particularly concerning female characters. The research aims to evaluate and analyse the behavioural patterns of female leads through the lens of psychoanalytic theory, providing readers with deeper insights into the psyche of these characters and why they act the way they do. Analytical and interpretative methodologies will be applied in this qualitative research. The psychoanalytic theory of Sigmund Freud will be considered to analyse the characters within a more comprehensive theoretical framework. The paper will also discuss how these portrayals impact society and why it is essential for filmmakers to continuously challenge gender stereotypes and promote a more positive representation of women within this genre.

How To Cite (APA)

SAMRIDHI GULIA (October-2023). Exploring the portrayal of female leads in psychological thrillers through psychoanalytic theory. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NOVEL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, 8(10), b334-b339. https://ijnrd.org/papers/IJNRD2310137.pdf

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Other Publication Details

Paper Reg. ID: IJNRD_206754

Published Paper Id: IJNRD2310137

Downloads: 000122253

Research Area: Arts

Author Type: Indian Author

Country: panchkula, haryana , India

Published Paper PDF: https://ijnrd.org/papers/IJNRD2310137.pdf

Published Paper URL: https://ijnrd.org/viewpaperforall?paper=IJNRD2310137

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Call For Paper - Volume 10 | Issue 12 | December 2025

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Current Issue: Volume 10 | Issue 12 | December 2025

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