Orphan: Deconstruction of Poster

• This follows a main convention of a horror film poster by using a red, white and black colour scheme throughout the poster; including typography and the colour of images. Other than the blue of Esther’s dress.
• Using a child as the main protagonist is also a common convention of horror films. Although the colour blue is often used in modern horrors conventionally, I think that it is used here because of the connotations of it being calming. This is used to represent the innocence that Ester should have as a child. However, her menacing look and symmetrical face is very direct and central to the poster which is effective for intimidating the audience and adding to the horror.
• The tile ‘Orphan’ may cause the audience to feel sympathy for Esther (assuming she is the orphan) as they would think of the negative connotations of the child being abandoned and lonely.
• The font of the title ‘orphan’ also deceives the audience as it is in childlike handwriting, making it seem innocent. However, there can be a horror element seen in it that it looks like a carving or scratching as it is very inconsistent.
• The poster involves the audience with the tag line ‘can you keep a secret?’ this rhetorical question may make it seem as if Esther is addressing them. This combination of her stare and a question could make the audience feel directed; adding to the horror element.