Emma C, a member of our Youth Panel, reflects on some of the films she's been watching. Check out Emma's film diary, which features fantasy franchises, period dramas and more.

The Hunger Games (2012-2015)

Perhaps it was the recent news of a new adaptation in the works, or perhaps it’s just my love for The Hunger Games universe, but I had to rewatch the first four films in the franchise. The series just gets better every time I watch it! Despite the fact that the last film of the original franchise was released nearly ten years ago, time has truly whizzed by; but as my mum tells me, it only goes quicker as you get older!

I am not the only one who loves The Hunger Games universe, with over one million posts on TikTok under the hashtag #hungergames. A more intense question within the fandom is not whether you're team Gale or Peeta (obviously team Peeta, is that even a question?), but instead, what is your ranking of these films? After my rewatching, I’d rank the movies in the following order: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2, and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1. It is, for me, one of those rare occasions where the sequel is better than the original. 

The Hunger Games has a really interesting classification history with the BBFC, which you can read about in the BBFC’s case study.  

I agree with the BBFC's 12A rating for The Hunger Games, as it strikes an effective balance between maintaining the core intensity of the story and ensuring that the film remains accessible to its young target audience. While the film's themes of violence and death are undeniably dark, the filmmakers made necessary adjustments, such as reducing visible blood and toning down brutal scenes, to align with the 12A Guidelines. These changes allowed the film to retain its emotional weight without overwhelming younger viewers. Additionally, the 12A rating encourages parental involvement, offering an opportunity for discussion about the film’s more mature themes, which is vital given the complex moral questions at its heart. Ultimately, the rating acknowledges the need for caution with younger audiences while preserving the essence of the story.

A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)

If there is one type of film or series I love to watch, it’s end-of-the-world scenarios. From The Last Of Us to various apocalyptic films, the tension and suspense these shows bring can sometimes make me want to bury my head in a pillow. After watching so many, I truly believe that if the Earth were to face a zombie apocalypse, I would survive, despite my lack of survival skills. 

This prequel to A Quiet Place (2018) explores the harrowing first day of the alien invasion that decimates humanity. While watching the film, I found myself hypocritically telling the characters to be quiet while stress talking to my sister. Clearly, I’d definitely be dead if this event were to actually happen! My favourite character in the film is undoubtedly the cat; however, our feline friend is also the reason the characters are placed in some nail-bitingly tense moments.

The BBFC's decision to rate A Quiet Place: Day One as 15 is appropriate due to the film's horror elements and frequent bloody imagery. Unlike typical jump-scare-driven horror films, the film builds its tension through silence, creating an unnerving atmosphere where every sound poses a threat. This constant tension makes the film extremely gripping, as viewers are on high alert throughout, knowing that any noise could result in terrifying consequences. Additionally, the graphic scenes showing injury and violence, while not overly gratuitous, are impactful and unsettling, justifying the higher age rating. These moments, combined with the relentless dread of the silent world the characters inhabit, make the 15 rating fitting, as it ensures that the film's intensity and darker themes are suitable for a more mature audience.

Pride and Prejudice (2005)

This film may have one of the best declarations of love on screen. You only need to hear Mr Darcy say, ‘You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love…I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on,’ and I know you agree with me. 

Set in early 19th-century England, Pride and Prejudice (2005) follows the intelligent and headstrong Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates issues of class, marriage, and morality. Her initial disdain for the wealthy and aloof Mr Darcy slowly transforms into a complex relationship as they confront their respective pride and prejudices. 

Not only does the film have a star-studded cast, but it is also the ultimate comfort movie. From the warm colour tones to the beautiful shots of the English countryside, it’s visually stunning. The only problem? We barely see Mr Darcy and Miss Bennet together, although this does add to the joy when they finally become a couple. We don’t even get a kiss, but the chemistry between Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen is palpable. After watching this with my sisters, one of them said, ‘I need a Mr Darcy in my life,’ and after watching the film, how could you not agree? 

Interestingly the US version includes a kiss between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. The UK version, in contrast, ends more subtly, in keeping with the original tone of the novel. 

The BBFC rated Pride and Prejudice a U, and it is a perfect film to watch with your family on the weekend as I did with mine.

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

Tom Ripley, a young man with a talent for deception, is sent to Europe to retrieve a wealthy man’s son, Dickie Greenleaf. Envious of Dickie’s luxurious lifestyle, Tom becomes dangerously obsessed. This obsession leads to a web of lies, identity theft, and murder as he infiltrates Dickie’s world.

The BBFC’s decision to rate The Talented Mr. Ripley as a 15 is largely due to the film’s mature themes, psychological tension, and graphic violence, particularly in key scenes like the murder of Dickie Greenleaf and the death of Freddie Miles. These moments of violence stand out not only because of their brutality but also because of the emotional and psychological weight behind them. The murder of Dickie is especially intense—Ripley's desperation and jealousy explode into a shocking act of violence, with the scene showing the act in graphic detail, making it unsettling for younger viewers.

Beyond the violence, the film explores complex themes like identity, obsession, and moral ambiguity, which can be difficult for younger audiences to fully process. The psychological manipulation and the way Ripley spirals deeper into lies and murder contribute to a dark and tense atmosphere throughout the film. These factors combined with the graphic moments of violence justify the 15 rating. 

The death of Dickie Greenleaf, played by Jude Law, was particularly shocking. It felt like one of those moments where you almost want to stop watching because if such a pivotal event happens halfway through the film, where could it possibly go next? However, the story quickly moves on as Tom Ripley begins to assume Dickie's identity, living a life of luxury where money seems to have no bounds. His seemingly endless solutions to every problem eventually lead to the realisation that something will give. When Freddie dies it feels like the unraveling of a complex ball of yarn. The film captures the relentless nature of deceit and the inevitability of truth catching up to the deceiver. The incredible score and cast further enhance this gripping narrative. 

The Iron Claw (2023)

I went into this film with my sister warning me that I would need a box of tissues. An hour in, I thought, ‘Well, this isn’t as sad as she made it out to be,’ but then halfway through, everything changed, and I realised that one box of tissues would not be enough.

The Iron Claw delves into the rise and tragic history of the Von Erich family, who became wrestling icons in the 1980s. It explores the immense physical and emotional toll that wrestling took on the family, as well as the series of tragedies—often referred to as the ‘Von Erich curse’—that plagued them over the years. Through the lens of the Von Erichs' personal and professional lives, The Iron Claw examines themes of family, legacy, and the price of fame in the world of professional sports. 

Zac Efron delivers an incredible performance (arguably the best of his career) by not only undergoing a physical transformation but also capturing the emotional depth of Kevin Von Erich, who endured both the highs and lows of fame. His portrayal of grief, determination, and resilience resonates powerfully with the audience. The film itself is heart-wrenching and honest, yet themes of family and brotherhood shine through, making it one of my top five films of all time.

The BBFC rated this film a 15 for strong language, drug misuse and suicide (which you can read more about in their case study on the film). The portrayal of the Von Erich brothers’ suicides is a central element of their story which the film navigates with sensitivity, using a surreal afterlife sequence where the brothers reunite. This sequence offers a complex view of grief and solace, reflecting protagonist Kevin Von Erich's coping mechanism. The film’s approach to depicting suicide, alongside strong language and drug misuse, underscores the intensity of the Von Erich family’s real-life struggles.