Conventions of Post-Apocalyptic Action Films

Supernatural elements are often present within the post-apocalyptic genre, particularly in post-apocalyptic horror but can also be found in the post-apocalyptic action subgenre which is what our film opening will focus on.

 Post-apocalyptic action movies often employ supernatural elements such as ghosts, demonic possession, haunted houses, poltergeists or more prevalently the zombie trend found in movies such as World War Z, 28 Weeks Later, I Am Legend, the Resident Evil franchise, etc.

Low-key lighting to emphasise the usage of shadowed effects are also apparent within several scenes in prominent post-apocalyptic action movies, such as the film still shown below from Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), one of the most influential post-apocalyptic movies of all time. This is because the manipulation of various degrees of low-key lighting amplify the sense of covertness and intrigue often reflected in the storyline of this genre's movies. It also produces an apparent but still subtle mysterious effect to the viewers using non-verbal communication.

Low key lighting can also be used to intensify the nature of the setting and the time of day, for example a forest in the night. As shown on the right, low key lighting is used to establish a dark cave/tunnel setting which conveys a sense of danger to the audience.

Short takes combined with straight cuts are also used to display action and add a sense of "rush" and dynamic movement to the scene. The cuts' short duration capture the viewer's attention because it is often connoted with a thrilling and exciting environment/scene. 

Other important takes are used, namely the long take. This is often utilised in establishing shots in this particular genre in order to establish or display the setting of the film, which is usually a destroyed, deserted or abandoned buildings/landscape.

Shots of destructed/jagged landscape are conventionally used in the post-apocalyptic genre especially movies with a "zombies" component involved so as to visually set the survival/post-civilisation theme common in the genre. For example, 28 Days Later starts out in London with a shot of the Houses of Parliament in the post-apocalyptic world.

Themes of betrayal are also frequent in the genre to add character depth and development, occasionally in order to explain to the audience why the character might behave in a certain manner. Sometimes shown in flashback sequences to give a backstory and is usually relevant to the current plot in some way, even if not obvious at first (usage of the betrayal trope in plot twists or survival situations). 

Desperation in characters is also a common convention in post-apocalyptic narratives, for example due to the urgency of the situation characters are driven to do uncharacteristic or immoral actions to emphasise their desperation and their desire to survive - fighting death, which is another convention in such plots. The death of main or supporting characters or characters not yet introduced to project a sense of fear and apprehension or sometimes shock value if they are particularly unexpected gory scenes.

Blood and gore can be used for shock value and to further emphasise the state of urgency in the era or setting the film is set in. Below is an example of blood and gore in zombie films (trigger warning).

Themes of survival are frequently apparent in this genre due to its uncivilised nature. There is often a range of threats and obstacles that characters must overcome. This can be a primary antagonist or several antagonists combined.

This often involves the usage of weaponry in order to aid survival, usually guns or knives.

• Lack of representation; predominantly male characters

• Themes of start/end of civilisation
• Themes of desolation
• Character development; how changes affect them