The poster uses typography, imagery, technical codes, and symbolic codes to create a frightening atmosphere that conveys the horror genre. The title is prominently displayed in bold orange text to draw the eye. The main image depicts a sinister face made up of unsettling objects like clowns and crucifixes, diminishing the threatening male figure. Technical elements like a long shot and low key lighting establish isolation and a sense of the unknown. Symbolic codes further unsettle the audience, such as the masked figure hiding its identity and a little girl representing a vulnerable victim for the antagonist. Overall, the poster leaves viewers with enigmas and an ominous tone to compel watching the film.

1. Horror Poster
Analysis
By Jemima
Wright

3. Typography
The Title is highly prominent, this is mainly
due to the boldness of the font and the
fact that it is in capitals. Another aspect
which makes it eye-catching is that the
colouring is rather striking, the vibrancy of
the orange immensely stands out from the
background and due to the fiery pattern it
creates connotations of destruction,
danger and fear. This definitively reinforces
the genre of horror as those are common
themes throughout. The size of the title
may reflect the antagonist of whom seems
to be big and threatening. This is then
juxtaposed by the Tagline “Evil has a
destiny” By using the conflicting colour of
white , which usually has connotations of
innocence and purity and using a daintier
and less significant font, this could lead us
as audience to assume this resembles the
helpless victim.
Image/Iconography
The first picture the audience is drawn to is
the silhouette of the man, this is due to
contrasting colours of the background
which allow the figure to be clearly defined.
we are then left to make assumptions of
whom it may be. The big build, dominant
posture and lethal weapon suggest that the
character is dangerous. However this could
be challenged as we depict that the
background is actually a large overpowering
face filled with numerous objects. Such as
clowns which are frequently involved
within horror as the longer you look at their
smiling face the more it transforms into
something more sinister. And A crucifixes is
also apparent, this is a connotation of
religion which is ironically used within
horrors. As a result this almost belittles the
figure, and the knife we initially assumes
was for attacking, may actually be used for
defence. The male figure is also holding a
mask, this suggest that he is hiding one
identity with another, this is used in horror
as it leave the audience futile. All of the
above create an enigma for the film as they
leave the audience wondering why these
objects are there, as a result it may urge
them to watch the film.
Technical Codes
There are various technical codes which have
been incorporated into this poster. Firstly the
longshot is used to identify a few things, for
instance it allows us to see that the man is on
his own, this instantly creates a sense of fear
as it puts him in a vulnerable position. This
shot also classifies a house surrounded by
woods, this helps us realise that the character
is isolated. The close-up of the male in the
background allows there to be more depth to
the poster, the use of editing to merge
different objects associated to film has been
successful in portraying fear and danger. The
low key lighting has been used as it initiates
the fear of the unknown this could create a
sense of panic.
Symbolic Codes
of the We are unable to see the
identity of the figure also suggested
by the mask it is clear that he
doesn’t want to be seen this
creates a sense of mystery. Though
we can depict bravery through his
upright stance. The facial
expression of the character in the
background looks very sinister and
due to the eyes being essentially
blacked out, implies that he is evil.

5. Image/Iconography
Typography
Technical Codes
Symbolic codes
The title of the film is one indicator of the
genre, without giving to much information
it sets he scene and tells the audience what
to expect. The font used for the word
‘sinister’ almost looks as if it has been burnt
on the background, with the residue
dripping down, this creates a dark and
disrobing atmosphere. The black texts
highly contrasts the light background, it
symbolises death and destruction. The
tagline is small though due to its positioning
the target demographic is likely to read it
after reading the title, it almost teases the
audience to want to watch the film. The
tagline also suggests that the main image is
the outcome of the antagonist, this is done
to make you uneasy.
The white background almost brings a
clinical feel to the poster, it is successful in
ensuring the other features of the picture
stand. The cracks in the wall show that the
place is decrepit and worn out, this implies
that there is a lack of security which could
put people on edge. Blood is used a lot on
horror movie posters as its gory and
highlight danger and death. The face within
the blood denotes sinister demonic eyes,
with the context of the tagline “once you see
him. Nothing can save you” creates a
terrifying atmosphere. The direct mode of
address is affective as it could make the
audience feel uneasy. Another feature of the
main image is the little girl, this is a typical
convention of horror films as adult
audiences find it more chilling if the
antagonist is a little girl as they are physically
and mentally weaker. The rope on the floor
could be seen as a lethal weapon, this is a
code of horror as it makes the audience feel
uneasy as more damage can be done.The technical codes used have had a significant
impact on the poster. The longshot allows us to see
everything incorporated together, this makes the
image look scarier. The lighting is bright which could
suggest that there is nowhere to hide and that the
protagonist is constantly being watched. The main
images are placed in the middle of the scene, this
ensure the audiences eyes are immediately averted to
them. The fact that there is space above and below
makes the girl look more isolated.
The girl is facing away from the camera, so the
audience is unsure of her identity. This could have been
done to highlight the fact that she has been possessed
by the demon. Her white costume represents purity,
the idea that it will get covered in blood shows a great
contrast. The colour scheme is bleak besides from the
vibrant blood, these colours are frequently used in
horror due to there conflicting representations.