This document analyzes the poster for the 2011 psychological horror film "Insidious". It summarizes that the poster uses visual cues like a young boy in the center to represent him as the main character and victim, dark lighting and colors to signify demonic possession and an ominous atmosphere. The blue house in the background is meant to seem safe but is challenged by dark clouds, representing that evil can intrude anywhere. The film's title in red and white text creates intrigue by mixing symbols of innocence and danger. These visual elements are used to effectively communicate the key themes and establish the film as part of the horror genre.

1. Insidious is a 2011 independent American psychological
horror film, made in USA and Canada. The main theme of
this film is family relations and child issues signified by the
main image of the boy portrayed in the centre, also this
suggest that he is the main character or the narrative is
based around him. This is juxtaposed with the feeling of
sadness and sympathy for the audience because the use of
dark light foreshadows that he is controlled by a dark
force.The use of low key lighting signifies that the film
challenges the codes and conventions of the binary
opposites of evil vs. innocence, and the shadows reinforce
the demonic possession of the child. The iconography such
as the dark and grey colours coincides with the conventions
of psychological horror because the colours reinforce the
theme of possession. The colour of darkness has been used
to establish evil.
The colour of the poster implies that stereotypical
conventions of horror have been used in making this film.
For example the use of black and grey signifies a picture of
horror, terror and evil. This establishes that the film is
associated with horror, so the audience can tell what genre
the film is by the colour scheme.
The house in the background is a clean blue and white, this
suggests that the house is a safe place, a nice family home. However the dark grey clouds over the top of
the house challenges this, the dark clouds represent that something sinister is bearing over the house and
boy. This emphasises the psychological horror aspect of the film because it suggest evil can get you even if
you think you are in a safe place.
“Insidious” is written in white and red, this creates enigma of audiences because they want to know what it
is. The colour’s red and white have very different representations. Red is associated with danger, horror
and blood, whereas white is associated with purity and innocence. The two colours in the poster are used
emphasis the story, the white represents the boy and his innocence and the red represents the evil entity
trying to take him over. Also “insidious” is written on the side to cause discomfort to the eyes when the
audience looks at it, creating a deeper sense of horror.
The young boy conforms to the challenges of horror films. For instance the boy is centred in the middle of
the poster; this establishes that he is the victim. His eyes also tell the audience that there is something
wrong with him, possibly he is possessed by evil entities. Also on the poster it tells you what other films the
creators have made, this entices fans of the other films to watch this one.