The appearing poster analysis

The Appearing, 2013, is a horror, mystery and thriller film based on “true events” relating to the devil. When studying the poster for the film, there are typical conventions that help to portray the horror genre for the audience to determine whether this is the film for them.

The focal point on this specific poster is the main image, placed central to the page. Although viewing this image, I would suggest that the female character is the protagonist; I am influenced to believe that she isn’t a bad person due to the tag line “It took her soul. You’re next”. When viewing the image, I feel that the female in the poster is similar to the demonic girl, Regan MacNeil, in the 1973 film, “The exorcist”. Although she is viewed as the unpleasant, “scary” character, she is the character who has been targeted, which means that she is the victim. Baring in mind that this character is female, I feel that the character is following the conventional features from the typical horror film by the female being the weaker, abducted victim. However, I feel that due to the female victim being viewed as unattractive and scary, this is going against the typical conventions.

The general appearance of the female has been presented to influence the audience into relating her behaviour to a “psycho”. Due to the gown, her straggly, greasy hair that is positioned over half of her face and the demonic expression on her face, we are aware that she is not the average female. At the bottom of the gown, I have noticed how it seems as if it’s slowly disappearing/ appearing. Having noticed this, I have connected this with the title and feel that the word relates to supernatural events such as ghosts and demons. Although the female has her hair over half of her face, we can establish that she is also giving direct address to us. This has been done to be seen as intimidating towards the viewer and be seen as the demon looking into our souls as he states “you’re next”.

The setting of the image is shown to be a neglected room with dirty, unused walls and flooring. In the background to the female’s right, seven names have been written on the wall in child-like hand writing, informing us that she has written the names and may suggest that these are the next victims. As the tag line reads “It took her soul. You’re next”, we are inclined to believe that the demon can possess any average person, which is an unwelcome feeling towards the spectator. The tag line used is also one that uses direct address. When the spectator reads this statement, they feel involved in the film and feel that it is speaking directly to them, informing them that the demon is after them next. This is an unsettling feeling and may persuade some people to watch the film.

The colour scheme of the poster is green, black and brown. As a predominant colour, green is one that relates to harmony, balance, envy, money and safety. Due to this, I feel that it is clear how the meanings of green is contradicting the film poster and by virtue of this, feel that the colour green was only used as a colour for either envy or to show the supernatural side to the film. Due to the old, unused setting, green may have just been used to show the coldness of the deserted room. The colour red has been used in one place on the poster. This means that the statement, “Based on terrifying true events” stands out over the other dull colours and means that this will be read.

At the top of the page, above the title reads “A Daric Gates film..”. By this, the audience can relate the film to other films produced by Daric Gates and may be influenced to watch the film due to their knowledge on the director or may just be interested in watching the film and then after viewing the film, can have their own opinion on whether they liked the film or not and in future, can make their choice by this statement.

As always, the credit block on the poster has been included to show the audience more information such as studios used, actors, producers and dates. This information is less important than everything else on the poster, meaning that it has been written small, close together and in a light colour, white.

Having analysed this particular poster, I would suggest that the target audience would be predominantly males at the age of 16-30.