Poster Analysis - Shutter Island

The layout/composition of the poster is effective as half of DiCaprio's face is hidden by darkness, this poses the question is he concealing something? This links to the thriller genre as a mystery is identified.
This is also suggested through the use of mise en scene, Dicaprios facil expression is puzzled, unsure and concerned, again suggesting that there is a mystery evident.
Through DiCaprio holding the match which shows light this suggests that DiCaprio is trying to shed light on something, it is artificial light so this suggests that a secret is to be uncovered. This is reiterated by the use of typography, the simple sentence 'Someone is missing.' and the composition of the flame being directly under this typography suggests that Dicaprio is trying to solve this mystery. But, it is interesting as this typography is directly across his face, portraying that DiCaprio has more involvement with the mysterious narrative than perhaps firstly percieved.
The colours on the poster fit in with the thriller/psychological horror. The colours are predominantly black and very dark blue and dark red. The associations an audience has with these colours reiterates the genre. Black connotes fright and mystery. The red of 'SHUTTER ISLAND' connotes danger, suggesting that this place is dangerous and the minimal use of white used for the typography of 'LEONARDO DICAPRIO' could suggest that he is a victim within the narrative and perhaps within his own mind as we associate white with innocence.
The layout/composition of the poster is very interesting as DiCaprio's face is over the island, slightly hidden suggesting that he has a significant role regarding the island and he has possible past ties to it, suggesting through the half hidden face. The fact that Dicaprio is placed over the island and the island is surrounded by dark waters suggest that DiCaprio is trapped on the island and he is trapped by events making him stay on the island. The layout/composition is very successful in portraying complex narrative as well as showing the genre of the film.

This poster is successful as a form of advertising as it doesn't give too much away but gives away enough to intruige the audience. The use of the darkness attracts the audience as it connotes mystery regarding Dicaprio's character and the island itself. It is successful in advertising the film as the colours evident potray the genre of the film: thriller. The facial expression of Dicaprio is a successful advertising tool as firstly, he is a very well known and respected actor so people would automatically be attracted to the poster therefore the film. Secondly, his facial expression reveals that there is a complex narrative and this is reiterated by the simple typography 'someone is missing' this is successful in attracting the audience as the mystery intruiges them.