When it comes to cinematic symbolism, plenty of directors have their own ways of setting the tone for their films using their own unique aesthetic style. However, one of the most popular methods directors use to convey meaning and depict the mood is the strategic use of color.
Whether a film uses pinks and purples to embody a dreamy and euphoric state, others might use vivid primary colors like reds or greens to depict a whole different mood. While there are key differences in how color is used that vary from film to film, color theory is universal and psychological, not to mention artistic and aesthetically pleasing to observe.
La La Land (2016)
Stream on Hulu.
Although this film is overall a happy movie with a surprisingly dark ending, La La Land has top-notch aesthetics that fans can't stop talking about. Not only is this film romantic in plot alone, but the use of neon colors somehow romanticizes even the saddest of scenes.
Commonly using hues of soft pinks and lilac, director Damien Chazelle depicts the head-over-heels feeling people typically experience when falling in love and/or chasing their dreams. Additionally, the audience could easily recognize a turning point in the plot when a primary color was presented.
Her (2013)
Stream on Kanopy.
In the movie Her starring the brilliant Joaquin Phoenix, primary colors like yellow and red are typically shown on screen the most, in order to depict passion and contentment. However, when things appear duller in terms of lighting and bright colors, it's evident that things become more mundane or depressing in the life of Phoenix's character, Theodore.
Director Spike Jonez has a wide array of films under his belt, with Her being one of the most colorful by far. His aesthetically pleasing use of color in this movie speaks volumes, especially knowing that vivid colors are a rarity for Jonez.
The Neon Demon (2016)
Stream on Amazon Prime Video.
In this shockingly gruesome horror flick, neon colors are fittingly used in concordance with the movie title. While gore used to this extent is not typically seen as artistic or glamorous, the use of stunning color in this film somehow marries the contrasting concepts of beauty and atrocity.
The Neon Demon director Nicolas Winding Refn has made quite a few chromatic films over the years, including Only God Forgives and Drive, so the use of multicolor imagery is not unexpected from him. Nonetheless, it's clear Refn knows how to use color in an important and unique way in his movies.
Coraline (2009)
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Though it was initially intended for families and children to watch and enjoy, Coraline has some pretty intense and vivid imagery. Between the creative animations and the semi-sinister plot, it's clear that Henry Selick is quite the visual storyteller.
With Coraline discovering a whole new world opposite of the monotonous one she knows of, it's inevitable that she comes across some pretty jarring and euphoric images. Though the other dimension appeared pretty and desirable at first, things quickly took a turn, teaching Coraline not to be deceived by a seemingly perfect and kaleidoscopic life.
Moonlight (2016)
Stream on Showtime and Kanopy.
Moonlight is yet another deeply personal coming-of-age movie that uses the power of tactical tincture. This Academy Award-winning tearjerker emulates emotions of sadness and longing by using hues of mostly blues and purples.
Historically, cooler colors are used to invoke certain subdued emotions, however, the use of blue tones in this film serves as a motif, paying homage to the darker tints associated with nighttime. Similar to how the warm tones of sunlight are often reminiscent of joy and happiness, moonlight hues bring out a muted and repressed effect in the audience.
Spring Breakers (2013)
Stream on Showtime and Kanopy.
A24 film Spring Breakers is an edgy and scandalous portrayal of a spring break trip featuring a group of college-aged female friends. The movie uses neon colors to depict a fun and euphoric experience, however, those that have seen the film know that's not actually the case for all of the characters.
While the girls have a vivid and romantic idea of how the trip will play out, things quickly head south as intense situations continue to escalate. Interestingly enough, the Harmony Korine film gradually gets more colorful as characters Brit and Candy delve deeper into the dangerous criminal lifestyle.
The Florida Project (2017)
Stream on Netflix.
The Florida Project takes place in a picturesque lilac motel and highlights the relationship between a sassy, scatter-brained young mother and her elementary-aged daughter. While their place of living itself is beautiful on the outside, the inside of their living quarters very clearly tells a different story.
The stark contrast between the bright and happy colors in the film and the complicated obstacles the adults face are somehow brilliantly balanced and joined together by the color choices. Overall, audiences adored the film for its duality of innocent child-like spirits versus the sad and harsh reality of adulthood.
Atomic Blonde (2017)
Stream on DIRECTV.
Knowing that the graphics in the comics were originally in a black and white art style, fans often wondered why the makers of the Atomic Blonde movie decided to turn the tables. However, director David Leitch makes a case for himself through his work, proving why the use of neon color was indeed a good contribution to the story.
With the film only showcasing a few brief moments of vivid color, the emotions in each scene were sure to stick out dramatically. More specifically, it's clear that Leitch chose to use reds in times of passion, and a mix of pinks and blues in times of both wonder and power.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Buy on AppleTV or Amazon Prime Video.
The Grand Budapest Hotel is among one of the most popular Wes Anderson films based on the uncovering of a hotel murder. Though he is famously known for creating aesthetically-pleasing films in his classic signature style, many fans believe The Grand Budapest Hotel is Wes Anderson's masterpiece.
Anderson typically enjoys working with earthy tones, such as sandy tans and subtle yellows, however, his use of taffy pink in this film captured the attention of viewers for a specific reason. While it's unexpected for pink to become such a prominent color in a murder mystery, it's mainly used to depict the child-like innocence between the two young love interests in the movie.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Stream on HBO Max.
With Blade Runner 2049 taking place in a futuristic timeline, it only makes sense for neon colors to be present in accordance with a clear rise in technology. However, the bright colors that appear in the film might exist for a different purpose than viewers think.
While director Denis Villeneuve makes it a point to use yellow in times of enlightenment, he also loves his pinks and purples, which typically represent romance and innocence. The film is riddled with different color schemes, however, no color the viewer sees is accidental, and Villeneuve's color choices undoubtedly implore viewers to dig deeper into the characters' emotions.