A well-crafted film trailer offers the viewers simply the correct quantity of details about the movie they’re going to see. And, maybe much more importantly, it establishes what the general temper of the film is — whether or not it’s a lighthearted comedy or a darkish, thrilling drama. However generally, a trailer doesn’t fairly match the film it’s promoting. As a rule, it is a tactic that’s executed on function. A advertising crew can goal a surprisingly big range of demographics via a trailer’s edit, and so they might even nudge a selected group of individuals in the direction of a movie they wouldn’t usually go and see.
This isn’t all the time a nasty factor. In any case, who needs to see a trailer that provides away an excessive amount of of the film? In some circumstances, being a little bit subversive isn’t a nasty factor. So long as the trailer doesn’t really feel an excessive amount of like a bait-and-switch, viewers would possibly really be pleasantly shocked that the movie isn’t precisely what they’re anticipating. Nonetheless, some viewers members might find yourself feeling misled. Consider it or not, in some circumstances, they even find yourself suing over dishonest trailers.
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Under, we’ve rounded up ten trailers which can be strikingly totally different from the flicks they’re promoting. The identical method you shouldn’t choose a ebook by its cowl, these previews function a reminder that not each movie may be judged by its preliminary trailer.
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1
Everlasting Sunshine of the Spotless Thoughts (2004)
Anybody who’s seen Michel Gondry’s Everlasting Sunshine of the Spotless Thoughts is aware of that it’s a unique type of Jim Carrey film. His efficiency is much from his goofy, affable norm — he’s the straight man, completely matched by an against-type efficiency from Kate Winslet. What’s attention-grabbing, although, is that Everlasting Sunshine of the Spotless Thoughts was marketed as simply the type of Jim Carrey comedy you’d anticipate. The general tone is offbeat, quirky, and light-weight. It’s an ideal guise for the type of film that can really make you cry and relive each heartbreak you’ve ever skilled. Don’t consider what you see — this isn’t a superb flick to observe on a second date.
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2
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
With its enchanting visuals, it is simple to peg Pan’s Labyrinth as a straight-up fantasy film — primarily based on its trailer, that’s. What the preview clip fails to say, nonetheless, is that this movie can be steeped in components of horror. The movie’s protagonist, a younger woman named Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), has a sadistic stepfather who brutally hunts down political rebels within the forest. The creatures Ofelia encounters are extra terrifying than inviting. The general tone could be very darkish, and whereas there’s some model of a contented ending, it’s actually not of the Disney selection.
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3
Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
Whereas Bridge to Terabithia is rated PG — and was primarily marketed towards tweens — its material isn’t precisely what you’d contemplate “gentle.” However by the seems of the trailer, you’d don’t have any clue that there’s a grave tragedy on the very coronary heart of the story. No, Bridge to Terabithia just isn’t an enthralling fantasy journey film a couple of pair of buddies who conjure up a magical realm to flee their turbulent actuality. It’s actually a coming-of-age film a couple of boy named Jess (Josh Hutcherson) who should deal with the surprising demise of his closest companion, Leslie (AnnaSophia Robb). Probably not the type of family-friendly fare the trailer is presenting, is it?
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4
Fringe of Tomorrow (2014)
To be trustworthy, the issue with the trailer for Fringe of Tomorrow is that it undersells what this movie really is — a sensible, humorous twist on the sci-fi style and Groundhog Day-style films. The trailer offers off the impression that this film is bleak, and even considerably generic. You gained’t discover any laughs, which is unusual for a movie that’s chock-full of them. There are in all probability folks on the market who noticed the trailer for this film and instantly thought that it wasn’t for them. However they may discover themselves shocked at simply how enjoyable Fringe of Tomorrow actually is.
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5
Kangaroo Jack (2003)
With a reputation like Kangaroo Jack, this film must be for teenagers … proper? Not fairly. Nonetheless, the trailer for this poorly obtained buddy comedy really tried to enchantment to kids. The presence of the titular marsupial was amped up for the preview, in an try and lure extra households into theaters. A lot so, actually, that critics even accused the studio of false promoting. Reviewing the movie for The A.V. Membership, Nathan Rabin wrote, “Kangaroo Jack’s premise, trailer, and commercials promise little greater than the spectacle of two enthusiastic actors being kicked over and over by a sassy, computer-animated kangaroo— and, sadly, the movie fails to ship even that.” Harsh. However true.
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6
The Inexperienced Knight (2021)
As is the case with many A24 movies, The Inexperienced Knight’s trailer was answerable for producing a ton of hype — and bringing folks into theaters. As soon as these viewers had been planted, nonetheless, few actually knew what they had been getting themselves into. The preview for the movie made one anticipate an epic, cinematic retelling of the 14th-century poem, “Sir Gaiwan and the Inexperienced Knight.” However this iteration of the story strays removed from the unique, as a substitute changing into an existential meditation on free will. And people cool giants proven within the trailer? They’re solely in round 10 seconds of the film. The Inexperienced Knight is superbly shot and well-acted, nevertheless it’s way more of a philosophical mind-bender than a historic drama.
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7
Catfish (2010)
When you had been to observe the trailer for Catfish with no context, you’d in all probability assume it was a real crime documentary — in spite of everything, the style has turn out to be vastly widespread within the final decade or so. The trailer even chooses to focus on a quote from the Monetary Instances, which reads, “The Greatest Hitchcock Movie Hitchcock By no means Directed.” Doesn’t it appear to be we’re about to dig right into a suspenseful real-life crime story? However in earnest, Catfish is a thought-provoking, participating documentary that doesn’t vilify anybody on display. Its director and star, Nev Schulman, processes his distinctive expertise in a method that feels related to all of us dwelling within the digital age. Put it this manner — it’s not the following Blair Witch Undertaking.
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8
Drive (2011)
When you went into Drive anticipating thrilling automobile chases à la Quick and Livid, you had been more than likely upset. Nevertheless it wasn’t fully your fault — the trailer for the 2011 movie depicted it as a high-octane motion film. In actuality, nonetheless, it’s a lot nearer to a neo-noir, artwork home drama. From the hyper-stylized imagery to the riveting violence, Drive is an exhilarating journey from begin to end. It’s simply not the film that the trailer depicted. In truth, one Michigan lady was so delay by her viewing expertise, she sued the film distributor over a “deceptive” trailer.
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9
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Avenue (2007)
Whereas Sweeney Todd’s trailer completely captures the macabre tone of the film, it fails to say an important component — the truth that it’s a musical. Now, many viewers already knew that Sweeney Todd relies on a profitable Stephen Sondheim musical, however there’s no method that everybody knew that. And for some, this would possibly really be a dealbreaker — loads of folks will head to the theater for a darkish, chilling story of vengeance, however not all can be prepared to take a seat via a two-hour-long musical. Moviegoers ought to at the very least have been given a heads up.
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10
The Cabin In The Woods (2011)
Curiously sufficient, The Cabin In The Woods’ subversive trailer was really a part of its advertising scheme. Anybody who’s seen the movie is aware of that it’s not the stereotypical slasher movie it seems to be on the floor. However the film’s trailer cleverly downplays the meta components, whereas amping up the clichés and traditional expectations. It’s very attainable that, after viewing this trailer, you continue to can be loads shocked by the film’s genre-bending twist. So really, the preview completed precisely what it meant to do. And that’s fairly cool.