The Hermenuatic Code

Barhtes hermenuatic code:  


Barthes suggested that there will be one or more of the five codes that describe the meaning of text. An extremely important code in which massively applies to most thriller movie's is the hermeneutic or also known as the enigma code. This code is one in which refers to the mystery within a film, the suspension in which it causes of what comes next, and the way the audiences begins to feel tension as we begin to ask ourselves questions in relation to a characters next move. Enigmas within a film make the audience want to know more and therefore usually continue to watch. Enigmas also usually create frustration amongst the audience causing the tension to begin to rise. The hermeneutic code therefore refers to any specific part of a story that is not very well explained and as a result of this usually becomes a mystery to the reader. The directors purpose is to essentially keep the audience guessing all the way through the film until usually the end when all answers will be revealed. This is designed to keep the audience watching for the entirety of the film, as well as to keep them entertained as they themselves try to discover the correct answer. So to sum it up the enigma code is a part of a storyline in which is not fully explained, or at least not straight away.
Directors often express this using one of these techniques:

- Snare: the truth is purposely avoided creating annoyance amongst the viewers, this also adds to the amount of suspicion and tension felt by the people watching.
- Equivocations: where the director creates incomplete answers leaving the director space to create another movie in the future.


An example of a thriller film in which leaves the audience asking themselves questions is Now you see me, towards the beginning of the film some magicians are all handed a mysterious card, in which leads them all to a strange destination. This particular scene in the film leaves the audience asking themselves who gave them the card? and how it got to them? The answers to these questions where then not answered until the very end. This method was a fantastic way to keep the audience watching all the way through. A way for the directors to keep the audience 'on the edge of their seats'.