BRITISH BOARD OF FILM CLASSIFICATIONS

The typical thriller and horror films tend to have certificate ratings of 12A/12, 15 or 18.  However, within these certificates there are clear lines of divisions which separate them accordingly.



CERTIFICATE 12A AND 12

Firstly, many are unaware of the difference between a film rated 12A and just a 12. All it is, is that the 'A' stands for accompany or advisory.  This means that children will have to be accompanied by an adult (an individual aged 18 or over) where a certificate rated 12 does not require assistance.

What is allowed to be published in a film rated a 12A or 12?
Firstly, there is allowed to be some presence of strong language as long as it is infrequent (if aggressive use of text throughout the rating may have to be altered)
What sort of violence is to be expected?
Similarly to the language, only a moderate amount of violence is allowed to be present (not too much detail in any form; image perceived on screen, detailed fully elaborated descriptions etc) and not too much blood and gore is allowed to be depicted on screen.
Drugs and Sex?
A little amount of drug taking may occur throughout the film (e.g. hanging, self harming) but as long as the scene is not dwelled on in too much detail. Furthermore, this is extremely similar to the use of sex (although not a major aspect of thriller or horror) there may be brief and discrete images portrayed.  

CERTIFICATE 15
Certificate 15 means that no individual under the age of 15 is allowed to watch the film at the cinema or buy/rent a copy.  
Typical aspects of certificate rated 15 film
In a rated 15 film, strong violence is allowed to be used accompanied with frequent strong language and portrayals of sexual activity.  Furthermore, other than direct sexual contact, strong verbal references to sex are to be expected along with scenes of nudity and brief displays of sexual violence and overall discriminatory violence.  Drug taking can also be displayed as long as it does not contain scenes or images that are too explicit of that of a 15 year old to examine.  
Horror/Thriller films?
Extreme portrayal of strong gory reference may result in the certificate becoming higher but strong scenes of menacing action and threat are likely to be acceptable.
What about drug taking in films rated 15?
There may be drug usage but not extreme misuse.  

CERTIFICATE 18

What to expect in a film rated 18

‘18’ works are for adults and can contain strong issues such as:

• very strong violence
• frequent strong language (eg 'f***') and/or very strong language (eg ‘c***’) 
• strong portrayals of sexual activity
• scenes of sexual violence
• strong horror
• strong blood and gore
• discriminatory language and behaviour

Drug usage tolerance?

Drug taking is to be expected but the film should not promote or advertise drugs to the audience.