What is the genre of movies in which the main characters don't have names?

What is the genre of movies in which the main characters don't have names? - Photo of Couple Plotting a Plan

In the movie Maanagaram (2017), most of the main characters don't have names.

Is there a name for this genre of movies in which the main characters don't have names?



Best Answer

As Nuclear noted in the comments, the idea of never naming your main character(s) is more of an aesthetic choice - a detail. The best term to use, I think, would be to call it a trope. In fact, TV Tropes calls this the "No Name Given" trope.

(Standard disclaimer regarding people having lost hours of their lives to the TV Tropes website. It's like the Bermuda Triangle of the internet.)


There's no genre name for this, because it isn't really a genre. Mirriam-Webster defines genre thusly:

Definition of genre

1: a category of artistic, musical, or literary composition characterized by a particular style, form, or content

2: kind, sort

3: painting that depicts scenes or events from everyday life usually realistically

Of which, the first definition is what applies to movies. So, a genre is a category of film; it describes, in broad strokes, the general atmosphere, emotional expectations and plot progression one can expect when watching the film. It doesn't really describe specific details (or lack thereof) in the film.

For example: Horror. If you're going to watch a horror film, you can expect it to be scary. You can expect it to be dark and possibly gory, generally unsuitable for children. However, you don't necessarily know exactly what the monster/killer/whatever will be. (Unless it's a sequel to a long running franchise, or the name of the movie somehow gives it away, but these things are outside the scope of "genre.") You can't tell what the characters' names will be based on the genre.




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What do you call a character with no name?

When a character genuinely has no name whatsoever (as opposed to it not being given in the work), then they are The Nameless. If the character's parents never named them, then they were Never Given a Name. When a character is literally given the name "Nobody", then they are Somebody Named "Nobody".

What do you call non main character in movie?

A supporting character is a character in a narrative that is not focused on by the primary storyline. Sometimes supporting characters may develop a complex back-story of their own, but this is usually in relation to the main character, rather than entirely independently.

What are the 7 genres of movies?

But broadly there are 7 genres that every filmmaker should know:
  • Action. This is one of the oldest genres known in filmmaking and also makes for a very popular one at that. ...
  • Romance. One of the easiest to identify, love has always defined filmmaking very strongly. ...
  • Thriller. ...
  • Sports. ...
  • Comedy. ...
  • Sci-Fi. ...
  • Horror.


What are the 8 basic film genres?

The Basic Film Genres
  • Action.
  • Comedy.
  • Drama.
  • Fantasy.
  • Horror.
  • Mystery.
  • Romance.
  • Thriller.




What Are Film Genres and Genre Films?




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