Depictions of youth homicide: Films set in rural environments

- Portrayals of six films of youth homicide in rural environments are examined.
- The films show realistic examples of rural reliance on informal social controls.
- Stereotypic illustrations of perceived police incompetence are also highlighted.
- Crime in rural communities needs to be portrayed in a more realistic light.

This paper, Depictions of Youth Homicide: Films Set in Rural Environments, reviews portrayals of youth homicide within six films that are set in rural environs. It examines depictions concerning the environment or setting of the film, including how media may explore notions of formal and informal social control as a means by which to explain some aspects of rural crime. The findings suggest that though films that depict youth homicide in rural settings encompass stereotypes often associated with rural crime, such as perceived police incompetence and the importance of informal social control in regard to community ties. However, there are still some instances in which rural homicide was framed in a realistic light, for example, the fact that rural firearm use for their actual purpose is common and firearm accidents are common, but firearms as a means of homicide are rare.