'Gattaca' Semiotics

Semiotics:

Vincent’s dreams to go to space are symbolic of his high aspiration,
-a metaphor showing his desire to ignore the limit society has given him, the sky is not his limit (in contrast with the saying).
- Stars are a global symbol of wishes or dreams.

A motif of identification and being categorised.
- a catalyst of much of the film’s tension,
- serves to emphasise this society’s aim to remove individualism.

The advanced scientific technology (for Vincent to hide his true identity) is not so far removed from that available today that the words from the beginning of the film “In a not too distant future” ring true and the audience’s disbelief is suspended.

Futuristic conventions: - the technology
- the clean and clinical looking environments 
- remind the audience of a science lab implying that the whole world is now scientifically focussed.

Jerome’s silver medal is symbolic of his perceived short-comings and of the world that made him feel that way.
It is significant therefore that in the final image of Jerome he reclaims the medal as a possession of pride and it is the last thing the audience is shown of him.

There is also a motif of light and dark :
- hints at secrecy and mystery.
- brighter, naturally lit scenes are generally those in which Irene and Vincent connect.

Action Sequences: As a thriller tension and mystery are generally substitutes for actual action.
The only really violent scene, the murder of Gattaca’s mission director, is not shown on screen. In one scene Victor attacks a policeman in order to escape. This is in contrast with his almost continuous composure in ‘public’ and is therefore all the more surprising.