3 Horror Film Poster Analysis

This movie poster for ‘Let The Right One In’ a Swedish  adaptation of  John Ajvide Lindqvist’s best selling book about a vampire is very typical in it’s colour scheme to other posters of the horror movie genre, which is black, white and red. The simple but bold layout and presentation reflects the cold atmosphere of the movie which is set in winter in Sweden. The poster shows a vague outline of who you assume is the vampire girl pressing up against an icy window as if asking to be let in which ties in with  the movie title and the myth of vampires not being able to enter a place without permission. The presentation of Eli is mixed as she looks underfed and in need of care but the alien-like distortion of her fingers on the glass and the way her you can only see a vague outline of her features (not to mention the smudges of blood on the window) add a predatory side to viewers interpretations of her. The ambiguity of her appearance is common in horror films and posters because not knowing entirely who someone is, and what their motives are, adds to the audiences fear of the character.

 This movie poster for ‘One Missed Call’ also matches the common colour scheme of black, white and red which enforces the dark storyline, also the contrast of these colours make the monsters face stand out more and be very eye catching. The caption ‘What will it sound like when you die?’ gives the audience some foreshadowing as to the movies plot, tying in with the movie title and the use of the mobile as a crucial prop. The monsters face is disturbing because of the unusual mouth shape and the use of a womans mouth as eyes. The open mouths seem to be screaming signifying their death and also inferring that there is a series of killings. The use of  these mouths as eyes to create a distorted image hint at a twisting story line and that things are not as they seem. The face seems fake and like a mask because of the waxy colouring to its skin showing that the killer might not be a living human.

This movie poster for 'Shutter Island' a psychological thriller, again like the other two I've analysed has a colour scheme of black, white and red. The rain and choppy sea that is present surrounding the image of the island used pathetic fallacy to create a dark and troubling atmosphere for the poster. From the caption 'Someone is missing' and the match that the actor is holding give the impression he is searching for whoever is lost on the fortress like island. However, the way that his face is cast in shadow could infer to the audience that he is dangerous or mysterious himself. Also, the use of 'someone' instead of a specific name hints at the plot of the film as he has a identity he's made up to cope with the reality of the situation and maybe that 'someone' is himself. The image of the island looks intimidating and inescapable which is unnerving for the viewer as they realise that the island itself is dangerous.