The movie poster for ‘Maleficent’ is not just a pretty poster; underneath there are hidden messages that suggest what the movie is really about. The movie poster is primarily a mid-shot of Maleficent, which is used to show her facial expression as well as her body language. Her eyes are looking directly at us; making it seem more personal. Her facial expression looks as if she is a predator stalking us, her prey, yet her body language seems almost rigid and alert. The most prominent feature about this poster is obviously Maleficent, taking up most of the shot, in her black clothes and horns. In Western culture, the color black is usually associated with evil and death, and horns with the devil, therefore suggesting that Maleficent is not only the main character, but also the evil villain in this movie. In Japan, the color black is associated with feminine energy not only with being evil and threatening, but also as being provocative. This may propose that she can provoke strong feelings, such as love and hate, and might therefore have very loyal allies or very determined foes. Supporting the idea that she is a villain, is her white pallor, which looks very unnatural and inhuman. White, in Eastern culture, is also associated with death and sorrow reinforcing the idea that Maleficent is the villain in this story. Her deep red lips almost look like fresh gore, that again suggests she is bloodthirsty and cruel. In sharp contrast with Maleficent is the white background, because white, in the West, is associated with innocence and good; everything Maleficent is not. Her eyes are in a shade of green, which in Western culture, is associated with disgust and envy. Yet at the same time, in the East, green is associated with new life, hope and new beginnings. This could suggest that there might come a time in the movie when Maleficent is no longer the evil villain, and that there is hope for her to have a new life. Additionally, positioned in her heart is Sleeping Beauty. In most traditional tales, Sleeping Beauty and the rest of the fairies are Maleficent’s archenemies, but in this poster they are in her core, hence suggesting that this is not your average Sleeping Beauty story. Around her neck there is a black collar. A collar is typically used to harness caged animals. By wearing the collar, it suggests that she is caged; a prisoner. As mentioned before black, in Western culture, is associated with evil, and that might suggest she’s a captive to her own ‘dark side’. This could further foreshadow that the movie may be about her defeating her own personal demons. Twinkling and glittering, those little sparks of light most probably represent magic. Unsurprisingly, magic is surrounding her heart if not in it; this could mean that magic is very important to her and will be a very significant part of the movie. The flowers and other greenery in the poster foreshadow the setting of the poster as a movie that will no doubt be set in rural scenery.