Here’s The 15 Hidden Meanings In Movie Posters That Prove They’re All The Same
Humans are a simple bunch, and when it comes to marketing movies, Hollywood doesn’t get too creative.
In their defence, they only have limited space and time to grab our attention as we quickly scroll through streaming services like Netflix, Apple TV and Stan. So to combat this, they stick to some basic cliches.
Don’t believe us? Frenchman Christophe Courtois has designed and gifted the internet with a compilation of movie poster stereotypes that demonstrate how overused these techniques are. From thrillers and horrors to romcoms and comedies, here’s how you can speed-read a movie poster to get a feel of what it’s all about.
Yellow = This Flick Is Indie AF
Most independent films go for saturated yellow backgrounds and golden hues. In contrast to many other flicks using conservative dark blues and greens to express their seriousness, yellow is a colour that’s quirky and unique.
The Red Dress = We’ve Got Ourselves A Rom-Com:
Romcoms aren’t known for their complex storylines. They typically fall back on pretty simple formulas that stretches right to the colour of the dress on their movie poster.
Back To Back = Tough Love
Get ready for this unlikely duo to face the odds while learning to overcome their differences.
The Backshot = The Lonely Hero
The backshot signifies a rogue and often lonely hero that’s going to use incredible or unlikely techniques to find justice. Often this dude or lady is a vigilante and if they’re wearing a hat you can almost guarantee they’ll be concealing a sneaky weapon.
The Big Eye =Prepare To Be SHOOK
The big eye is used on a lot of horror and thriller movies. People get freaked out by the thought of someone watching them, so the giant eye grabs attention and lets viewers know that they’ll be screaming in fear. This technique also humanise its subject, either showing vulnerability against an evil threat (eg. Avatar) or the danger a threat has against the public (Candyman / Bionic Woman).
The Blindfold
The blindfolded hero must face justice.
Big Blue = It’s About Nature
Blue earthy backgrounds, thin white fonts (all in capital letters) and often pairs animals in front of a big moon.
Legs = Sexy Times
Get ready for hot, seductive ladies and a sex scene or three.
Text Over The Face
You can bet this person is the sole focus of the film, and it’s likely they’ll be pretty damn likable.
Silhouettes & Oceans
Get the tissues ready and prepare to moved. These faces floating in clouds are about to give you all the feels!
Black + Fire = Prepare For Explosions
Guns, action, fire, car chases and explosions > deep and meaningful storyline.
Black + White = Weapons
A Runner = A Thrilling Race Against Time
If someone is running down the street, that street should probably be blue. Also your movie should probably be some kind of thriller.
The Mosaic Or Abstract Face
The Side Profile – It’s A Tom Cruise Movie
But srsly…what is it with Tom Cruise and the side of his face?
