WINTER’S BONE 
POST ER ANALYSI S
THE POSTER
THE TITLE 
• “Winter” obliviously relates to the cold season, but by 
saying “Winter’s Bone” it suggests that it is so cold, it 
goes to the bone. 
• It could also be suggesting that the characters are 
incredibly cold blooded and are bad to the bone.
TAGLINE 
• The poster’s tagline “Talking just causes witnesses” 
adds to the films code of enigma, making the on-looker 
ask “what does this mean?” As it leaves the viewer 
confused and cleverly intrigued.
CRITIC STATEMENTS 
• By having statements such as “Winter’s Bone is 
unforgettable” it not only makes people more aware of 
the film, but also brings more of a larger and possibly 
wider audience. 
• Another example is the statement “An gripping and 
intense thriller” this again seduces the viewer believing 
that the film is justifiable to go and watch now that there 
is a favourable review.
THE JENNIFER LAWRENCE REFERENCE 
• One critic writes “Jennifer Lawrence, 19, already 
deserves a Oscar nomination for her role” this again 
makes the viewer feel that they should go and watch the 
film believing that it’s leading star performs brilliantly. 
• This brings more in, and brings along with them the early 
fans of Lawrence, adding to the ticket sales and revenue 
the movies makes.
THE IMAGERY 
• The young female is placed to the far right in front of the 
trees, suggesting a rurally set film, possibly in the mountains 
with big, spooky and intimidating trees. They could be 
symbolising the characters’ attempts to escape from the 
world’s harsh realities and instead fly away to safety. 
• The character’s facial expression suggests horrors lay behind 
the camera and that the film may offer the horrors. She oozes 
confidence, suggesting her hard shell hasn’t been broken of 
yet, but the tag-line maybe suggesting (in the film) it might be 
otherwise. 
• It could be interpreted that the female character is actually 
blocking the sunlight. This could be suggesting that in the film 
she isn't what she seems, or that she does something in the 
film that can be questioned.
MISE-EN-SCENE 
• The Mise-en-scene can be seen through the character’s 
clothing. She is wearing a beanie hat and a long coat 
which helps to emphasis the cold and harsh nature of 
the landscape around her. 
• The excessive amount of trees could be suggesting she 
as a character is cut off from society that she is alone in 
the cold wilderness. This helps to add to her 
vulnerability.
THE COLOUR 
• The poster’s colour ranges from black to white. The 
bottom being the darkest, differing to the skies bright 
white landscape. Which again suggests their life on 
Earth is a dark one, and that death, maybe, seems more 
beneficial to the characters.
THE BILLING BLOCK 
• The Billing block is placed just underneath the tag-line and 
is very hard to see. It doesn’t really promote the director, most 
notably because he is fairly unknown at the point of directing 
the film. 
• It does it’s job by listing the film’s credits, but it isn't anything 
spectacular. This allows the poster to promote the film in as 
much space as possible. 
• Next to the billing block are offers from cinemas and most 
notably the film’s release date. This helps the audience to be 
more aware of the film and plan to watch way in advance. 
This makes it more easier to get more ticket sales, as it 
relieves the watcher of trying to research when the film is 
released.
TARGET AUDIENCE 
• This poster presents a unique target audience. The main 
character suggests a young teen target audience, 
possibly consisting of 18-25 year olds. 
• But the critics had stated “An gripping and intense 
thriller” which does suggest that it should be of a older 
demographic based on the fact that most teens prefer 
comedies over thrillers (according to IDMB). 
• So I would suggest a slightly older target audience of 25- 
35 year olds.
IT’S USP 
• The film is fairly unique it offers a chance to see the 
growing star in Jennifer Lawrence performing in a role 
which gave her much admiration amongst her fans and 
critics. 
• The film also offers a mystical plot which many don’t 
acknowledge until reading about the film. The breaking 
of the equilibrium isn't revealed either leaving a lot 
unknown to the audience, making them more tempted to 
go and watch it, feeling intrigued and fascinated.
ELEMENTS I WOULD REPLICATE 
• Seducing critic quotes bringing more attention to the 
reviews and positive feedback on the film. 
• Intriguing and interesting tag-line making the film stick 
in the audience’s mind long after the see the poster. 
• Showing nature, not so much the trees but maybe 
showing the disruption of nature and the impact humans 
have had on Earth.

Winter’s Bone Poster Analysis

  • 1.
  • 2.
  • 3.
    THE TITLE •“Winter” obliviously relates to the cold season, but by saying “Winter’s Bone” it suggests that it is so cold, it goes to the bone. • It could also be suggesting that the characters are incredibly cold blooded and are bad to the bone.
  • 4.
    TAGLINE • Theposter’s tagline “Talking just causes witnesses” adds to the films code of enigma, making the on-looker ask “what does this mean?” As it leaves the viewer confused and cleverly intrigued.
  • 5.
    CRITIC STATEMENTS •By having statements such as “Winter’s Bone is unforgettable” it not only makes people more aware of the film, but also brings more of a larger and possibly wider audience. • Another example is the statement “An gripping and intense thriller” this again seduces the viewer believing that the film is justifiable to go and watch now that there is a favourable review.
  • 6.
    THE JENNIFER LAWRENCEREFERENCE • One critic writes “Jennifer Lawrence, 19, already deserves a Oscar nomination for her role” this again makes the viewer feel that they should go and watch the film believing that it’s leading star performs brilliantly. • This brings more in, and brings along with them the early fans of Lawrence, adding to the ticket sales and revenue the movies makes.
  • 7.
    THE IMAGERY •The young female is placed to the far right in front of the trees, suggesting a rurally set film, possibly in the mountains with big, spooky and intimidating trees. They could be symbolising the characters’ attempts to escape from the world’s harsh realities and instead fly away to safety. • The character’s facial expression suggests horrors lay behind the camera and that the film may offer the horrors. She oozes confidence, suggesting her hard shell hasn’t been broken of yet, but the tag-line maybe suggesting (in the film) it might be otherwise. • It could be interpreted that the female character is actually blocking the sunlight. This could be suggesting that in the film she isn't what she seems, or that she does something in the film that can be questioned.
  • 8.
    MISE-EN-SCENE • TheMise-en-scene can be seen through the character’s clothing. She is wearing a beanie hat and a long coat which helps to emphasis the cold and harsh nature of the landscape around her. • The excessive amount of trees could be suggesting she as a character is cut off from society that she is alone in the cold wilderness. This helps to add to her vulnerability.
  • 9.
    THE COLOUR •The poster’s colour ranges from black to white. The bottom being the darkest, differing to the skies bright white landscape. Which again suggests their life on Earth is a dark one, and that death, maybe, seems more beneficial to the characters.
  • 10.
    THE BILLING BLOCK • The Billing block is placed just underneath the tag-line and is very hard to see. It doesn’t really promote the director, most notably because he is fairly unknown at the point of directing the film. • It does it’s job by listing the film’s credits, but it isn't anything spectacular. This allows the poster to promote the film in as much space as possible. • Next to the billing block are offers from cinemas and most notably the film’s release date. This helps the audience to be more aware of the film and plan to watch way in advance. This makes it more easier to get more ticket sales, as it relieves the watcher of trying to research when the film is released.
  • 11.
    TARGET AUDIENCE •This poster presents a unique target audience. The main character suggests a young teen target audience, possibly consisting of 18-25 year olds. • But the critics had stated “An gripping and intense thriller” which does suggest that it should be of a older demographic based on the fact that most teens prefer comedies over thrillers (according to IDMB). • So I would suggest a slightly older target audience of 25- 35 year olds.
  • 12.
    IT’S USP •The film is fairly unique it offers a chance to see the growing star in Jennifer Lawrence performing in a role which gave her much admiration amongst her fans and critics. • The film also offers a mystical plot which many don’t acknowledge until reading about the film. The breaking of the equilibrium isn't revealed either leaving a lot unknown to the audience, making them more tempted to go and watch it, feeling intrigued and fascinated.
  • 13.
    ELEMENTS I WOULDREPLICATE • Seducing critic quotes bringing more attention to the reviews and positive feedback on the film. • Intriguing and interesting tag-line making the film stick in the audience’s mind long after the see the poster. • Showing nature, not so much the trees but maybe showing the disruption of nature and the impact humans have had on Earth.