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Fragko Tseni

Julie Baker

English 1301- 280

03/03/2024

"The Shape of Water" poster

Movie posters are not only promotional tools; they serve as complex visual

stories that convey underlying messages and themes of the films they represent.

Among these, the poster for the Academy Award-winning film "The Shape of Water"

emerges as a captivating illustration, weaving together intricate elements to convey its

thematic depth and emotional resonance. The "Shape of Water" poster is a great

example of visual storytelling, it uses symbols and meaning to draw viewers into its

world and explore its themes. Crafted to intrigue and captivate viewers, the poster

strategically employs color choices, symbolism, and composition to evoke the film's

narrative essence. Through a detailed analysis of its visual elements, this essay

contends that the poster for "The Shape of Water" transcends its role as a mere

advertisement, serving as a visual gateway to the cinematic journey that awaits its

audience.

ranswick, Amie. “New Poster for Guillermo Del

Toro’s the Shape of Water.” Flickering Myth, 20 Oct.
2017
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This essay begins a close examination of the visual elements in "The Shape of

Water" poster analyzing his color palette, symbolism and composition, he delves into

how these interact to express the film's themes and create emotion as well as need to

watch the movie and learn more about it. By looking into this, the essay hopes to

show how choices made in poster design help people understand the movie's plot

better, making the experience better and more real for everyone who pays close

attention and cares for the meanings behind the poster. Moreover, by looking at the

details of visual storytelling, he also shows how each part of the poster helps it

connect with people on a deeper level and how they all work together to make the

picture that holds the major meaning that attracts people. By looking at the

complicated visual story of the poster, it tries to show how these parts connect viewers

to the world of "The Shape of Water," making their experience better and their

relationship to the story stronger.

The colors in "The Shape of Water" poster create a captivating atmosphere that

draws viewers into the film's world. The dominant shades of blue remind us of the

deep ocean and the mysteries it holds. The blue tones also reflect the protagonist's

profound connection to water, which plays a significant role in the story. Moreover,

the subtle hints of green add another layer of depth to the poster. They symbolize

growth and renewal, suggesting that even in the depths of uncertainty, there's always

room for new beginnings. Just like the foliage thriving underwater, the characters in

the film experience personal growth and transformation throughout their journey. By

using these specific colors, the poster not only sets the tone for the film but also taps

into the audience's desire for escapism and emotional resonance. The deliberate

choice of colors in the poster not only aligns with the film's thematic elements but
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also enhances the overall viewing experience, making it more immersive and

unforgettable.

In "The Shape of Water" poster, there's a powerful image of a woman holding

a mysterious creature underwater. This scene tells a lot about the story without using

any words, it unfolds a story about a woman's connection with the creature that shows

intimacy and acceptance, even though it's different from her, the way light and

shadow play around them adds also to the sense of mystery and romance, pulling

viewers into the story. Also, there are other symbols like aquatic motifs and the

ethereal lighting that add depth to the poster, they represent themes of love,

acceptance, and the beauty of being different, the symbols connect with viewers

emotionally and remind us of the film's message about embracing diversity and

finding love in unexpected places. Overall, the symbol in the poster helps people

connect with the characters and unfold the story.

The "Shape of Water" poster is carefully put together to make us focus on

important parts while making everything look harmonious. In the center, you see the

main character with the creature, surrounded by swirling water and underwater plants,

something that shows their unique connection and how they belong together. The

lines and arrangement of things guide our eyes to this main point, making sure we

notice their emotional bond and the movie's main idea of acceptance. The poster's

gentle typography enhances the sense of beauty and love in the film, reinforcing its

message of compassion and empathy. These choices not only capture viewers' interest

but also remind them of the movie's important message about kindness and

understanding, mirroring the characters in "The Shape of Water".

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In summary, the analysis of "The Shape of Water" poster shows how it goes

beyond typical movie advertising, effectively positioning the themes and emotions of

the movie to grab people's attention in an effort to promote the movie. The colors,

symbols and layout of the poster draw viewers into the world of the film and make

them feel different emotions, to achieve this blue is used which represents the film's

association with water and mystery, while green suggests growth and renewal, in this

way colors play an important role. The image of a woman embracing a mysterious

creature shows the film's message of embracing diversity, enhanced by water symbols

and soft lighting. The poster design guides viewers' attention to the film's central

theme, acceptance and empathy as it also helps viewers better understand the film and

connect with its characters and themes, fulfilling its promises and emphasizing its

importance analysis of visual elements.

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Works Cited:

Murphy, Mekado. “The Hand-Drawn Journey of the “Shape of Water” Poster.” The

New York Times, 3 Nov. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/11/03/movies/the-shape-of-

water-poster-guillermo-del-toro-james-jean.html.

Abrams, Simon. “The Artist behind Awards Season’s Most Stunning Movie Posters.”

Vanity Fair, Vanity Fair, 8 Dec. 2017, www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/12/james-

jean-shape-of-water-mother-blade-runner-posters.