Gender representation in films

Male Stereotypes; 

• Tough
• Heroic
• Strong
• Not sensitive
• Aggressive

Female Stereotypes;

• Fragile
• Victim
• 'Damsel in Distress'
• Weak
• Sensitive

In Thriller films the male is usually the hero, whereas the female would be the victim or the person in need of help. There could be a male 'hero' then the female could be his 'sidekick'. 

In 'The Stranger' there is a male and female victim, the male is more in control of the situation as he tells the woman what to do and how to react. He takes control over the gun, as he sends her to look for ammo. The strangers target the woman as they see her as vulnerable. The strangers are two females and one male. 

In 'Sharp White' the victim is a female, as we see her as vulnerable, weak and helpless. Our three strangers are all female, then the person who finds the dead body is male. This makes a change from the killers being male, which is normally the case.