A SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL SIGNS FOUND IN SELECTED NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY FILM POSTERS

This study examines the verbal and non-verbal signs found in five selected Netflix documentary film posters. The study aims to identify these signs and analyze their meanings using a semiotic approach. The posters analyzed include Period. End of Sentence (2018), Icarus (2017), The White Helmets (2016), 13th (2016), and Winter on Fire (2015). These posters were selected because the films are highly popular and have received prestigious awards in the film industry. Furthermore, these posters contain a rich variety of verbal and non-verbal elements that are suitable for analysis. The data for this study were collected from the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) website and analyzed using a descriptive qualitative method. To identify the signs, this study applied Saussure’s framework as cited in Chandler (2007). To analyze the denotative and connotative meanings, the theory by Barthes (1964) was used, supported by Wierzbicka’s (1996) theory for colour analysis. The findings are presented using both formal and informal methods. The results of the analysis reveal a total of 27 verbal signs and 19 non-verbal signs across the five posters. Verbal signs mainly appear as titles, taglines, production information, and award recognitions. Meanwhile, non-verbal signs are represented through images, symbols, gestures, and colour usage. This study concludes that Netflix documentary posters are not just promotional tools, but also meaningful visual texts that communicate social messages and raise public awareness. Through these semiotic elements, the posters successfully influence audience perception even before the film is watched.