Society. Spaces. Screens

Abstract

As large language models (LLMs) and AI-driven technologies increasingly shape media creation and consumption, the surface aesthetics of classic genre films demand reexamination. In this context, surface refers to the space where viewers dredge meaning—engaging with the semiotic codes embedded in formal elements—while simultaneously experiencing the sensorial impact of these visual and auditory cues. This paper explores the implications of LLMs absorbing the formal grammar and stylistic conventions of classic genres such as noir, westerns, and melodramas. It raises the question: what happens to the surface of these films when genre conventions become reference points for algorithmic determination? By analyzing the intersection between genre tropes and LLM-generated content, this study examines how both the semiotic and sensorial dimensions of classic films are recontextualized in a digital age where AI plays a significant role in media production. Through case studies of modern genre films and their algorithmic reproductions, the paper delves into the tension between maintaining genre integrity and the algorithmic reinterpretation of “style.” Ultimately, it addresses how LLMs, in their capacity to replicate and modify genre conventions, contribute to the evolution of classic genre cinema, raising questions about authenticity, authorship, and innovation in this new era of media convergence.