By CULLEN MURRIN, Staff Writer
Movie trailers are a marketing tool designed to persuade audiences to watch a certain movie.
Sometimes the advertising comes at the expense of honesty. I have provided an example of an
“honest” trailer and a “dishonest” trailer below. An honest trailer accurately conveys the tone and
story/character elements of the movie itself, while dishonest trailers change some of these
elements to suit the plan of the marketers. Movie trailers play a huge part in getting an audience
to see a movie, so marketers will sometimes market what they think the audience wants to see
even if that isn’t completely in line with the film itself.
“Mad Max: Fury Road”: https://youtu.be/hEJnMQG9ev8
The trailer for “Mad Max: Fury Road” is an honest trailer. This is a kinetic movie about a road war
through the apocalyptic desert, and the trailer promises a crazy, action-packed ride. The film
delivers completely on this promise.
“Scream” (2022): https://youtu.be/beToTslH17s
The trailer for “Scream” is a bit dishonest. The trailer brings back franchise stars Sidney, Gale and
Dewey, and suggests that they are going to be a much bigger part of the movie than they actually
are. Yes, they are in the movie, but aside from Dewey, none of them really have big roles. We get
two new main characters and a whole new crop of supporting characters to focus on. Now, I’ll be
the first to admit that Scream is not a bad movie. In fact, I loved it! But this trailer probably excited
longtime fans with the return of Sidney and the gang, and I’m sure that, like me, they were at least
a little disappointed when they weren’t as big a part of the movie as some other characters.
Mad Max’s trailer successfully conveys the tone and story/character elements of the movie.
“Scream” banks on the belief that audiences want and expect to see Sidney, Gale and Dewey back
again as the main trio, which the marketers were absolutely right about.
Movie trailers can be incredible, well-crafted and entertaining and still deceive the audience. And
even then, the movie can still be good, like the new “Scream”. Once you’re in the theater and the
lights go dim, forget about the trailer, and just watch the movie that’s playing. Even if it’s different
than what you thought it would be, you might like it.
