horror film posters analysis

1. Research of Horror Film Posters

3. • Film title tends to be at the bottom of the poster (bottom third) – underneath the main
image, but above the credits. This is so it doesn’t detract from the image, yet it is still clear
enough to be seen as it’s an important aspect of film posters.
• Commonly used shot types are medium/close ups; to show the emotions of the characters. A
long shot may be used to create a distance between the audience and the antagonist.
• With the antagonists, the film poster creates intrigue by mise-en-scene, e.g. costumes, like a
mask from ‘One Missed Call’ and ‘Texas Chainsaw’ . A sense of mystery is also created by the
camera positioning or lighting as it will put the antagonist in darkness or make them look far
away.
• Lighting is usually low key/dark as most horror films have lots of night scenes to make the
scarier, however it is lighter and shines on the character in the image to make them stand
out/be the central focus.
• The film title is in the largest text and clearest font/colour to stand out. The font tends to look
gothic/handwritten/untidy. Links in with the theme of the film, they never have ordinary,
plain fonts.
• Dark, plain colours are used in film posters. Red/black are the common themes as they
connote blood and evil. Whites tend to be used for supernatural/psychological thrillers.
• Font and background colours contrast so the text is easily seen.
Generic Conventions of Horror Film Posters

4. • Release date tends to be at the bottom of the poster - not as important as the image which
is there to attract you.
• Tagline/caption can be anywhere, however it is usually below the film title. Usually intriguing
and creates a sense of mystery to draw the audience in.
• Credits at bottom and in the smallest font – least important to the audience.
• Images could be of the antagonist to make it look scary. May be looking at you to add to the
effect.
• You could have the image of the protagonist looking vulnerable/scared so it’s easily relatable
for the audience. These tend to be the close ups/medium close ups as they show the
reactions/emotions of the protagonist, to show their weakness. E.g. ‘Let Me In’ – the
protagonist is in the foetal position and in ‘Drag Me to Hell’ the women is screaming, showing
how scared she is of the antagonist pulling her down.
• Production company is at the top of the credits, ‘presents’. Then goes on to mention the
producers and director involved, then the people involved with the music and
cinematography etc. sometimes followed by the actors. The film company logos may be
shown at the bottom of the credits. These conventions could draw in audience members who
enjoy the work of people involved in the making of the film.
• The poster images usually show the antagonist with their weapon choice, which implies
violence/gore (E.g. in ‘Texas Chainsaw’ – he’s holding his chainsaw).
Generic Conventions of Horror Film Posters

5. Lighting is usually low key/dark
as most horror films have lots of
night scenes to make the scarier,
however it is lighter and shines
on the character in the image to
make them stand out/be the
central focus.
Film title tends to be at the bottom
of the poster (bottom third) –
underneath the main image, but
above the credits. This is so it
doesn’t detract from the image, yet
it is still clear enough to be seen as
it’s an important aspect of film
posters.
With the antagonists, the film
poster creates intrigue by mise-
en-scene, e.g. costumes, like a
mask. A sense of mystery is also
created by the camera
positioning or lighting as it will
put the antagonist in darkness
or make them look far away.
The use of weapon,
direct mode of address
and proximity could
insinuate that you are
the next victim – adds
to the film’s scare
factor.
The film title is in the
largest text and clearest
font/colour to stand out.
The font tends to look
gothic/handwritten/untidy.
Links in with the theme of
the film, they never have
ordinary, plain fonts.
Font and background colours
contrast so the text is easily seen.
Release date tends to be at the bottom of the poster
- not as important as the image which is there to
attract you.
Examples of generic conventions

6. Tagline/caption can be anywhere,
however it is usually below the film
title. Usually intriguing and creates a
sense of mystery to draw the
audience in.
Credits at bottom and in the
smallest font – least important to
the audience.
Images could be of the antagonist to
show what the film is about –
psycho killer/supernatural/monster
etc. make it look scary. May be
looking at you to add to the effect.
Production company is at the
top of the credits, ‘presents’.
Then goes on to mention the
producers and director
involved, then the people
involved with the music and
cinematography etc. sometimes
followed by the actors. The film
company logos may be shown
at the bottom of the credits.
These conventions could draw
in audience members who
enjoy the work of people
involved in the making of the
film.
The poster images usually show the
antagonist with their weapon choice,
which implies violence/gore (E.g. in
‘Texas Chainsaw’ – he’s holding his
chainsaw).
Dark, plain colours are used in
film posters. Red/black are the
common themes as they connote
blood and evil.

7. Analysis of specific horror films similar
to our genre

8. Reviews used as the tagline gives
the implied narrative - ‘catfish’.
Use of weapon on the
film poster implies
violence.
Medium close up
shows the emotions
of the character . The
facial expressions give
off the impression
that the image is of
the protagonist as
they look defensive
and scared.
Blood on the
poster again
implies that
there is violence
and bloodshed in
the film.
Medium close up
allows the plane
window to be seen –
shows where the film
is set.
The film title ‘panic
button’ gives the implied
narrative as the word
‘button’ makes it sound
electrical and may have
something to do with
computers/online activity
going wrong.
As well as the film’s title itself, the font used for the
word ‘button’ is what makes me think something
goes wrong, as it looks bloody and disturbed.
Low key lighting is used to
make the film appear it’s
set during the night time as
are most horror films –
scariest/most vulnerable
time.
The protagonist is in the light to
make them stand out and maybe
imply their innocence.
The fact that you can’t see
the antagonist in the image
possibly suggests that they
don’t know who it is.

9. Tagline gives a sense of intrigue to
the film, which suggests that it’s a
mystery horror.
Film title emphasises the fact
that the protagonist and
antagonist don’t know one
another.
A-list celebrities to entice people in to watch the film. Helps
promote it.A close up shot is used to
show the frightened emotions
of the protagonist.
The way she’s standing behind
the doors makes it seem as
though she’s trapped; this
increases her vulnerability
towards the antagonist. It also
looks as though she’s hiding
from the antagonist, which
suggests that she’s the
protagonist.
Low key lighting
makes the image look
darker and more
sinister due to the
connotations of
darkness.
Looks like a reflection – implies that
he’s watching her.
The use of the word ‘perfect’ is an oxymoron as it’s
calling the antagonist the ‘perfect’ whereas we obviously
know that he is the enemy and most likely dangerous.
The fact that his image is
reflected on cold, steel doors
suggests that he is a cold, hard
man – making it clear that he is
the antagonist.
The plain colours, image and lack of
blood/gore implies that the narrative
of this film is a thriller
The mise-en-scene of this image
again implies that he is the
antagonist as he is wearing plain,
black clothes, which are commonly
used for the antagonists.
The warmth and
colour of her skin is
another convention
which suggests that
she is the protagonist
and the plain, dark
character is the
antagonist.