Chromatic Systems: Instability Across Mind, Body, and Soul in Horror Film

This essay explores how color functions as a structural, chromatic language in the horror films Smile (2022), A Different Man (2024), and Rosemary’s Baby (1968), revealing instability across the mind, body, and soul. Through the process of breakdown, blending, and layering, these films demonstrate that color does not simply symbolize meaning but makes visible the shifting and unstable conditions that shape fears regarding identity, perception, and belief.

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University of North Florida Digital Commons (University of North Florida)
Published
2026-11-10
Primary Topic
Gothic Literature and Media Analysis
Type
article
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article

Chromatic Systems: Instability Across Mind, Body, and Soul in Horror Film

Katelynn A. Smith
University of North Florida Digital Commons (University of North Florida)
Gothic Literature and Media Analysis
article

Chromatic Systems: Instability Across Mind, Body, and Soul in Horror Film

Katelynn A. Smith
article en

Abstract

This essay explores how color functions as a structural, chromatic language in the horror films Smile (2022), A Different Man (2024), and Rosemary’s Baby (1968), revealing instability across the mind, body, and soul. Through the process of breakdown, blending, and layering, these films demonstrate that color does not simply symbolize meaning but makes visible the shifting and unstable conditions that shape fears regarding identity, perception, and belief.

University of North Florida Digital Commons (University of North Florida)
University of North Florida (US)
Gothic Literature and Media Analysis
Open Access PDFOpenAlex
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Chromatic Systems: Instability Across Mind, Body, and Soul in Horror Film — Katelynn A. Smith · University of North Florida Digital Commons (University of North Florida) (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS