For decades, this classic slasher image has been shrouded in mystery, with dedicated fans insisting there’s a hidden—and deeply unsettling—detail waiting to be discovered.
The most effective horror posters use subtle visuals to evoke a sense of dread, hinting at something sinister just beneath the surface. The Halloween poster is a perfect example of this—yet despite the long-standing intrigue, the story behind its creepiest element might not be as intentional as you’d think.
After the film hit theaters back in 1978, viewers began to notice something unusual about the knife-wielding hand on the left side of the poster. Many became convinced that the shadows and shapes in the hand concealed a hidden face. It took me a moment to find it, but once I did—I see it now, and I can’t unsee it. There’s a strange little creature seemingly formed by the knuckles and shadows.
If you’re having trouble spotting it, here’s a tip: focus on the right side of the hand. The top knuckle creates a shadow that looks like a sunken eye. Just below, the middle knuckle forms a nose, while the lower two appear to shape a twisted, open mouth.
So, was this eerie effect intentional? According to the original artist, Bob Gleason, it wasn’t—at least not consciously. In a letter that accompanied the sale of the original poster artwork in 2016 (reported by Business Insider), Gleason explained that the hidden face emerged from his subconscious. While painting the hand, his main goal was to use dramatic lighting and shadows to mirror the strobing effect of the glowing pumpkin. He wrote that he hadn’t intentionally designed “a screaming monster with what looks like worms coming out of its mouth, eye, and nose.” In fact, he admitted, “It kind of freaks me out. I couldn’t have done it better if I tried. What dark nightmares lurk in my psyche?”
If you enjoy this kind of movie magic, you might also like these fan-made posters for The Shining, or check out the terrifyingly clever use of negative space in this poster for The Conjuring.
