The poster depicts themes of good vs. evil, nightmares, serial killers, and slasher horror through its imagery and use of lighting. The villain is positioned centrally and portrayed as strong and intimidating to heighten fear. Symbols like the machete weapon and isolated forest setting foreshadow violence, murder, and a sense of being trapped. Colors like red are used to connote danger and draw attention, while the title plays on the superstition around Friday the 13th to intrigue audiences. Overall the poster employs standard horror iconography and techniques to advertise the film as adhering to slasher conventions while challenging stereotypes through its physically imposing villain.

1. Friday the 13th is the 12th edition to the
American horror franchise. The film was
made in the USA in 2009. The poster
demonstrates the themes of the film which
are good vs. evil, nightmare, serial killer,
slasher horror. This is recognised by the
mise-en-scene used, for example a phallic
symbol such as the weapon shows that
people will be killed brutally. The trees and
isolated woods in the background
emphasises the nightmare which is going to
happen because the isolated location
signifies a trapped and venerable feeling
for the victim. The high key lighting in the
background is used to for the audience to
recognise the isolated location. The use of
light conforms to creating a juxtaposed
feeling of tension, suspense and fear. The
use of low key lighting foreshadows that
the appearance of an evil, dark villain will
be conveyed. This shows a sense of fear,
dread and anxiety for the audience. The
background of the poster denotes the
stereotypical codes and conventions that
are associated with this film.
The use of props in horror posters are very
important for showing what the film is like. In this poster the weapon is a machete which
demonstrates violence, brutality, blood and terror. This prefigures that the film will incorporate
bloody gore and murder. This therefor conforms to the challenge of horror film conventions
portrayed in a sub-genre ‘slasher’.
The text ‘Friday the 13th‘is written in red. This establishes that red is to connote danger, warning and
death. The title of the film creates an enigma questioning audiences to think what is going to happen
on Friday the 13th, this therefor leads audience’s wanting to watch the film and find out what exactly
happens. Also red captures the attention of the audience because it’s against black creating a big
visual contrast. The text and colour connotes stereotypical codes and conventions of iconography
that are associated with the film. The colours red, black and grey signifies a visual picture of horror,
darkness and terror. This establishes that the film has a various use of binary opposition for instance,
dark vs. light and good vs. evil.
The position of the villain in the middle of the poster and his body language signifies that he is strong
and vicious. This connotes that this film is challenging the stereotypes of a slasher horror film
because a villain is portrayed as a robust and intimidating. This heightens the sensation of fear,
dread and anxiety.