Analysis of 'The Grudge 2' film poster

When viewing a variety of different film posters, I choose to analyse 'The Grudge 2 as it automatically establishes the genre, what the poster suggests might happen in the film and the features which suggest what might happen. As a genre is a vague term with no fixed boundaries, it is important to construct a film poster which categorizes the type of film effectively. Janet Staiger argues that 'Hollywood films are not pure genres, because most Hollywood movies blend the love-oriented plot of the romance genre with other genres'. This was a factor which led me to create an independent film as oppose to a universal Hollywood hit as the horror branches out into sub-genres.

When viewing the poster it is the image which stands out above the other features as it is a re memorable one due to it being such a strong uncomfortable image. As the skin of what we know as the grudge from the first film as an established audience or having the automatic assumption is extremely pale, denotes the idea of death or the grudge being a ghostly presence. This idea if more horrific from the fear of the dead coming back to life. In my film poster I also to base the central image around the antagonist who has an extremely white washed complexion but as oppose to the grudge, to denote how Fearane is an outsider and not fitted into the conventions of society. Another aspect of the image which makes it successful is of the stark dark eyes being bloodshot around the outside. This may be deliberate to suggest the grudge is watching some ones every move and dares not to even blink. Fearane's eyes in my poster also holds significance as to make a horror poster successful, the fearful element can be expressed through the expression and appearance of the eyes. They are white washed and deeply horrifying to denote that this is the antagonist and he is the centre of fear through out the film. The final aspect which makes the poster successful is of the black hair is scattered around the characters face looking thin wired and almost as if the grudge is trapped. This may be the effect in which the grudge inflicts on its victims and we as viewers sense that feeling of being trapped. Similarly, Fearane has intense hair which looks unkept and contributes to the idea he is a 'crazy man'. I feel it is important to concentrate on all physical attributes which can be converted to add to the capacity of horror.

At the bottom of the poster under the central image, is another image in which looks as though it may be the films location. The building seems to be a haunted house which is a convention in many horror films due to the haunting feeling it gives off and the idea of the dead coming alive within.The dark tones the entire poster displays is yet a further element to the spooky feeling we sense will be widely present in the film. Around the haunted house is a misty air next to leafless branches which denote the film may be set around autumn/winter which are both perfect seasons to film horror in as the nights are darker and the air is foggier. A film focusing on the plot during night time is more horrifying, as it is more unease leading to viewers having the assumption that characters are not safe.