Scream Movie Poster Analysis

First released in 1996 “Scream” is a crime, mystery, horror movie that was first released in the United States of America. The main cover image is of the iconic “Scream” mask worn by the killer in each of the Scream films, of which there are 4. The main image can also be seen as a dagger. This is the weapon of choice for the killer. In this image, we don’t see much of the killer, whereas we do in other movie posters, for example “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” movie poster (Which can be seen in a previous post). However, the combination of the mask and black background could signify the whole killer. His costume is all-black and he wears this deformed mask. The deformation is typical of a horror movie killer. As notable, black, red and white are the three main colours on this magazine. The white is used simply on the mask, which in all of the Scream films is white. White also connotes purity. Purity, however, is not common in horror films, especially for the victims. Most victims are sex, alcohol and drug addicts, which is usually the killer’s primal reason for dispatching of them. It is also what makes it so easy for the killer to killer his/her victims, they are distracted with sex, drugs and/or alcohol, making it much easier for the killer to get to the and kill them. The white could symbolise the purity on the survivor, usually female and known as the ‘Final Girl’ she is more often than not virginal. Unlike her friends, the victims, she is a virgin, isn’t distracted by sex and is aware of the danger posed by the killer. The red, as evident, symbolises blood. Red is the colour that is linked with blood. The blood that is dripping off of the tip of the knife is obviously that of one of the killer’s victims. The black connotes darkness. It symbolises the killer’s cloak, in which he wears throughout the film. It could also connote the darkness of events that happen within the film. Furthermore many of the killers are performed at night time. The tagline on the poster “WHATS YOUR FAVOURITE SCARY MOVIE?” this is a link to a question that the killer asks Drew Barrymore’s during their phone call before he kills her boyfriend and ultimately kills her off, very early on in the film.