THE PRAGMATICS OF DIRECTIVE SPEECH ACTS IN ACTION-COMEDY FILM: AN ANALYSIS OF BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE

This study investigates the use of directive speech acts in the action-comedy film Bad Boys: Ride or Die. The objectives of this research are to identify the types of directive speech acts employed by the main characters, to analyze the strategies used in delivering these acts, and to explain their pragmatic functions in the context of the film. Directive speech acts are essential in cinematic discourse, particularly in action-comedy films, where language serves both to direct action and to enhance humor. This study applies a qualitative descriptive method. The data were taken from the utterances of the two protagonists, Mike and Marcus, which were transcribed and classified as directive speech acts. The classification follows Searle’s theory, while the analysis of strategies refers to Cutting and Fordyce. Crabtree’s contextual framework, including linguistic, social, epistemic, and physical contexts, was used to interpret the pragmatic functions of the utterances. The findings reveal that directive speech acts appear in the forms of commanding, requesting, suggesting, advising, and forbidding, with commanding being the most frequently used form. These are expressed both directly and indirectly, influenced by urgency, authority, and the interpersonal relationship between speakers and hearers. Pragmatically, directive speech acts in the film function to build tension, coordinate actions, support plot development, and balance seriousness with humor. The study concludes that directive speech acts in action-comedy films are strategically used to achieve communicative purposes while simultaneously constructing character dynamics and entertaining the audience. This research contributes to pragmatic studies by showing how directive speech acts operate in films, especially within the action-comedy genre.