1. blade runner
Directed by Ridley Scott

2. Post-Modern Aspects
• Hyper-real world
• The combination of film noir and science fiction
• Questionable character morals
• Many meanings found by the audience

3. Hyperreality
Hyperreality – a condition in which
“reality” has been replaced…
- Baudrillard-
The seemingly paradoxical combination
of self-consciousness and some sort of
historical grounding
- N. Ford -

4. Hyperreality
Film Opening
Very recognizable scenery
Backs up the inclusion of futuristic elements
Creating a reality we can easily believe

5. Film Noir meets Science Fiction
Dark Lighting
Despite the presence of bright lights
and neon signs (as is stereotypical of
sci-fi films based in futuristic
environments), the majority of the film
is covered in shadows that helps to
create a pessimistic atmosphere, which
is a convention of film noir titles.

6. Film Noir meets Science Fiction
The ‘Femme Fatale’
A character who ‘ensnares’ her lovers
and leads them into dangerous
situations, often using her charm to
get ahead.
In this film, we have Pris (right), a
Replicant who charms and lies her
way into the house of J.F. Sebastian.

7. Film Noir meets Science Fiction
Deckard’s Morals
Film noir films are very well known for
having protagonists who questions
the moral implications of his own
actions, and Blade Runner fulfils this
with the character of Deckard, who
questions whether or not he should
be killing the Replicants he’s
employed to “retire”.

8. Film Noir meets Science Fiction
Theatrical Trailer
…references to many traditions and cultures…
(read ‘genres’)
- Jonathan Kramer -

9. Questionable Characters
Deckard, the Protagonist
Presented as the hero of the story, he questions his
orders to kill the Replicants but still carries them
out, causing us to question whether or not he’s
really a good guy.
Roy, the Antagonist
Presented as the stereotypical bad guy (complete
with scars), and yet the appropriateness of his
actions are called into question when it’s revealed
he’s just trying to keep him and his friends alive.

10. Questionable Characters
Dr Eldon Tyrell, the Maker
The creator of Replicants, he also plays the God-like
character to them. His pleasant demeanour
amongst Deckard contrasts the idea that he created
people with the ability to think just to enslave them.
Rachael, the Love Interest
Tyrell’s latest experiment, she doesn’t find out she’s
a Replicant until the plot of the movie takes place –
at this point, Deckard is tasked to kill her, and we’re
forced to asked whether or not she deserves to live.

11. Questionable Characters
Roy’s Final Soliloquy
A rejection of the traditional Western
A distrust of binary oppositions moralistic narratives
e.g. good triumphing over evil
- Jonathan Kramer - - Lyotard -

12. Audience Interpretation
Locates meaning in listeners
more than in scores, performers, or composers
- Jonathan Kramer -
The idea that the meaning isn’t
necessarily predefined by the production,
but lets people apply their own interpretation to what they see

13. Audience Interpretation
Human, or Replicant?
Constantly left ambiguous throughout the
film, the way it portrays Replicants as
emotional and humans as cold brings up
the idea that Deckard himself may be a
Replicant.
Harrison Ford played him as human, but
Ridley Scott left it deliberately vague.

14. Audience Interpretation
Mortality through Chess
The films theme of mortality is often cited
to be reflected in the chess game
between Roy and Tyrell.
Many fans claim that it’s based on the
1851 ‘Immortal Game’, an infamous chess
game between two of the best
players, and yet Ridley Scott has passed
this as mere coincidence.

15. Audience Interpretation
The Film’s Ending
The ending left deliberately ambiguous in later releases
Allows the audience to interpret the events their own way
The original release was forced to have a traditional happy ending