Exploring The Target Audience of a Thriller

Usually most thriller directors/writers have a target audience in mind when scripting, writing and planning their film (you could say they use it as a "template"). The script context usually revolves around the "template" they have provided themselves with. For example if their target audience is up to the age of 15, then the content of the script is likely to contain less vioence, blood and gore, and possibly less mature content, for example sex scenes etc. And if the age is at least 18 then it is likely that the film will contain nude scenes, extreme violence and possibly explicit views, like taking drugs or racial harassment etc.
Usually the choice of target audience has a massive effect on a film's success and could either make or break it. I'll give a few examples of films and then briefly explain why the films are better suited to their given age rating and target audience than if it was changed.
i'll start with:

• "The Ring"(2002), directed by Gore Verbinksi. This film contains psychologically disturbing scenes which includes a ghoulish figure emerging from a TV set and a black horse leaping over the edge of a barge into it's rotary blades, killing the animal. The non-diagetic music used adds an eerie effect to the film, immersing it deeper into the thriller genre. This may interfere with the mind of a younger child and could lead onto nightmares, dementia, and possibly spectraphobia (the fear of ghosts). The age rating it was given of 15 is a good indicator of the sort of content that the film contains, therefore highlighting a suitable audience for the film.
• "The Usual Suspects"(1995), directed by Brian Singer. In this film there is a lot of violence and criminal activity between our 5 main points of focus, which uses a lot of weaponry and killing. This would be unsuitable for a younger audience, as violence is a feature of a film pushing into the age 18+ category, and younger children and young teenagers up to the age of 15 may be influenced by the swearing and become accustomed to using words they've heard in the film, as they think that if they are allowed to watch it then they are allowed to repeat the language used. Also if they see violence, then this may influence their levels of aggression and make them think it's alright to use violence and turn to crime or anti-social behaviour.
• "The Strangers"(2008), directed by Brian Bertino. In this thriller we see two normal people trapped in their own summer home, like rats in a cage, while 3 'Strangers' are attempting to corner them and seemingly kill them. There is a lot of suspense built up in this film by use of non-diagetic orchestral music and also sudden diagetic sounds like cluttering and loud knocking which set you on the edge or seat. There are a few extremely jumpy moments which i dont think would be suitable for younger teenagers and children to watch, as they could become scared of their own home, especially if they have an active imagination. They could succombe to psychological damage, which could possibly lead onto mental illness such as dementia and paranoia. The age rating it was given (15) is the best possible option, as this film contains little violence and sexual content, it is mostly build up which would be appreciated more by a more mature audience.

Overall i think these films are most suited to the age ratings they have been given and have been carefully considered by the producers. I think if any young children watched these films then they would not understand the plots and multiple storylines intertwined with each other. I think a certain level of undertanding is required to fully appreciate the concepts being portrayed within the films.