Color Psychology and Storytelling in Cinema

Writer: Bejan YILMAZ

Have you ever sat back to analyze films and how a varying color palette gave them a sense of feeling, thematic assignment, or even the twisting of someone’s perception without one’s realization? While some movies might opt for muted, subdued color schemes to evoke nostalgia, others go wild with splashes of highly saturated colors that emphasize intensity and excitement. Colors must affect people just as much as acting or plot, working very subtly in psychology, mood, and the sense of a scene. The vast majority of color applications aim to ensure that colors inform storytelling; hence, we arrive at something fascinating: the interplay between art, psychology, and visual communication (NoFilmSchool, n.d.).

Filmmakers have always known that color is more than an aesthetic entity: it tells a story. The mise-en-scène theory, also known as within the frame, places great importance on color as a visual cue in storytelling. Take, for example, Stanley Kubrick’s extensive use of color to produce striking psychological effects. In The Shining (1980), muted blues and greys predominate in isolated scenes to heighten psychological suspense, while bold reds are employed in scenes of threat or tension to arouse fear and heightened sensitivity (StudioBinder, n.d.-a).

Similar to this, Wes Anderson employs pastel color schemes in his films, such as The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), to create a magical, almost fairy-tale-like atmosphere, even when dealing with chaos or loss. By fusing vibrant colors with somber or melancholy themes, Anderson prompts viewers to reconcile opposing feelings, thereby increasing audience engagement and making the narrative more memorable (StudioBinder, n.d.-b).

Colors very often signal changes in time or location. The use of sepia or faded colors in movies such as Schindler’s List (1993) helps the viewer imagine a place in the past and evoke memories, whereas the bright, modern colors in new movies instantly convey the atmosphere of a place and reveal its energy. Thus, color is no longer a mere visual element but the shortest sign of time, city, and emotional atmosphere (Symbolism of Color in Cinema, n.d.; Swarnakar & Rathod, 2023).

Psychological Effects of Specific Colors

Color theory forms the basis for the claim that colors cause specific emotional reactions that are quite predictable. For instance, blue can be very calming and thought-provoking, while red is more likely to symbolize love, danger, or the need for quick action. According to some, yellow is the color of the sun and represents happiness, optimism, and the positive aspects of life, while green, depending on the situation, can represent jealousy, nature, or discomfort. In addition to the specific hue, lightness, and saturation also affect these effects: bright colors make the viewer feel happier, while pale colors evoke nostalgia or make a situation seem more depressing (StudioBinder, n.d.-b; Suitestudios, n.d.).

Research studies support the associations between colors and emotions. A study by Online Scientific Research found that people in rooms dominated by red imagery became physically more active than those in rooms dominated by blue (Rabbaa et al., 2024). Another experiment elicited that warm-colored landscapes engaged viewers’ emotions more strongly while cool ones stimulated their minds (Online Scientific Research, 2024). Hence, the artists obtain the indirect sympathy of the audience through such a trick without openly declaring their intentions.

Color Palettes and Genre Conventions

Various movie genres go for particular color palettes to support viewers’ expectations of the story. Typically, horror movies utilize deep contrasts, darkness, and almost colorless tones to intensify terror; on the other hand, romantic comedies employ mellow, warm colors that produce a feeling of coziness and closeness (StudioBinder, n.d.-a). Science fiction and fantasy films frequently use very bright and entirely artificial colors to create worlds apart from the real one. For example, La La Land (2016) employs vivid primary colors to convey love, happiness, and melodrama, while Blade Runner 2049 (2017) utilizes neon oranges and blues to visually communicate a dystopian, futuristic aesthetic (StudioBinder, n.d.-b).

A film’s use of color can convey a character’s development or the progression of the plot. Additionally, red elements may often appear in scenes with foreshadowing, subtly hinting at danger or the supernatural (Symbolism of Color in Cinema, n.d.; Swarnakar & Rathod, 2023).

Cultural and Symbolic Meanings

Primitive human psychology forms the basis of color perception, but cultural context determines color interpretation. For example, in some Asian countries, white can represent death, whereas in the West, it often symbolizes purity or chastity (Swarnakar & Rathod, 2023). Filmmakers frequently employ these kinds of preexisting associations to convey themes quickly. Green, for instance, is used to represent spiritual balance and closeness to nature in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), whereas the red coat in Schindler’s List (1993) stands out as a symbol of innocence amid tragedy (Symbolism of Color in Cinema, n.d.).

The opposite of color symbolism can also be used to build suspense or surprise. In Get Out (2017), red is used sparingly among generally dull scenes, giving visual shocks that heighten psychological tension (NoFilmSchool, n.d.). The stark contrast draws the viewer’s attention and underscores danger or strong emotion; thus, color becomes both a direct and symbolic storytelling tool (Cinegrading, n.d.).

Practical Applications in Filmmaking

Directors and cinematographers frequently use storyboards and mood boards to predesign color schemes before production. Colors are selected to harmonize with lighting, set design, and costumes, producing a unified visual experience (StudioBinder, n.d.-a). For example, Frozen uses icy blues to evoke coldness and emotional distance, while Moana presents warm tones to portray life and adventure (StudioBinder, n.d.-b). Film editors can also tweak emotional impact in post-production by desaturating for realism, or oversaturating to intensify emotion (Suitestudios, n.d.; Noam Kroll, n.d.).

The exact level of control that goes into what seems like simple aesthetic decisions is underscored by filmmakers' ability to make precise manipulations. Science has even backed up the artistic understanding of emotional effects: warm colors (red, orange, yellow) tend to raise arousal, while cool colors (blue, green) calm and encourage introspection (Rabbaa et al., 2024). Moreover, contrast between hues helps key story elements stand out and focus the audience’s attention (Berens, 2014; Berens, 2014).

Well-known filmmakers know that when they decide on a palette for a scene, they are not just picking a visually pleasing combination of colors—they’re working with colors that have physiological, emotional, and cognitive effects, which is why they’re such vital narrative tools.

Color serves as a subtly potent narrative device in movies, directing emotional reactions, indicating changes, and establishing mood. Color continues to play an essential part in transforming images into experiences as filmmakers continue to hone their use of it in conjunction with narrative and technology.

References

1. Symbolism of Color in Cinema. (n.d.). Symbolism of color in cinema [PDF]. Self-published. pp. 12–34. Retrieved from file:///C:/Users/MSI/Downloads/Symbolism_of_Color_in_Cinema.pdf

2. NoFilmSchool. (n.d.). Color psychology in film. NoFilmSchool. Retrieved from https://nofilmschool.com/color-psychology-in-film

3. StudioBinder. (n.d.-a). Filmmaking techniques: Color theory in film. StudioBinder. Retrieved from https://www.studiobinder.com/filmmaking-techniques-color-theory-in-film/

4. StudioBinder. (n.d.-b). How to use color in film: 50 examples of movie color palettes. StudioBinder. Retrieved from https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/how-to-use-color-in-film-50-examples-of-movie-color-palettes/

5. Online Scientific Research. (n.d.). A psychological, scientific exploration of color in cinema. Online Scientific Research Journal. Retrieved from https://onlinescientificresearch.com/articles/a-psychological-scientific-exploration-of-color-in-cinema.pdf