How Set Design in Movies Uses Neuroarchitecture to Influence Emotion

Movies are more than just stories; they are immersive experiences designed to make us feel something. While acting, music, and cinematography play major roles, one often-overlooked element is set design. The way spaces are structured, coloured, and lit directly affects our emotions—whether it’s the unease of a horror film, the warmth of a romantic comedy, or the awe of a sci-fi epic. This is where neuroarchitecture, the study of how built environments impact the human brain, comes into play.

The Science Behind Neuroarchitecture in Film

Neuroarchitecture explores how different spatial elements—such as lighting, geometry, and colour—affect cognition and mood. Filmmakers and production designers subconsciously tap into this science to heighten emotional responses. Elements like:

Spatial Compression – Tight, enclosed spaces create tension (e.g., horror movies).

Open, Expansive Spaces – Trigger feelings of freedom and power (e.g., grand fantasy worlds).

Colour Psychology – Red intensifies emotions, blue calms, yellow evokes unease.

Symmetry vs. Chaos – Orderly spaces feel safe; disorganized spaces create anxiety.

By using these principles, set designers manipulate how an audience perceives a scene, making environments feel either welcoming or threatening.

How Different Genres Use Neuroarchitecture

Horror: The Art of Unease

Horror movies intentionally break architectural norms to create discomfort. Spaces that should feel familiar—like a home or hotel—are distorted with:

• Narrow hallways that trap the viewer’s perspective (e.g., The Shining’s Overlook Hotel).

• Unnatural angles and asymmetry that make environments feel “wrong” (e.g., Hereditary).
• Dim lighting and deep shadows to heighten fear of the unknown (e.g., The Babadook).

These set choices play on our evolutionary instincts, making our brains perceive danger even when nothing is happening on screen.

Sci-Fi & Fantasy: Creating a Sense of Awe

Sci-fi films often use expansive, futuristic spaces to create a feeling of wonder and possibility. Movies like Blade Runner 2049 and Interstellar rely on:

• High ceilings and vast landscapes to evoke insignificance in a massive world.
• Minimalist, clean designs to signal advanced technology and utopian themes.
• Strong lighting contrasts (e.g., neon vs. darkness) to create a sense of mystery.

These architectural choices tap into our curiosity, making us feel small yet engaged in a grand, unfamiliar universe.

Drama & Romance: The Comfort of Familiar Spaces

Romantic films and intimate dramas aim to connect audiences with characters through relatable, cozy settings. These movies often feature:

• Warm lighting and soft textures to create emotional safety (La La Land’s dreamy colour palette).

• Balanced, symmetrical environments to enhance harmony (Call Me by Your Name’s Italian villa).
• Small, personal spaces (bedrooms, cafés) that make characters feel emotionally close.

Neuroarchitecture here works to enhance connection rather than tension or spectacle.

Action & Thriller: High-Stakes Design

Action movies use set design to heighten adrenaline and reinforce the stakes. This is achieved by:

• Maze-like urban layouts that make characters feel trapped (John Wick’s cityscapes).
• Sharp edges and industrial materials to suggest danger (Mad Max: Fury Road’s scrapyard world).
• Extreme contrasts in lighting (bright white vs. deep shadows) to add intensity (The Dark Knight’s Gotham).

These elements make environments feel fast-paced, forcing both characters and audiences into a state of heightened alertness.

Architecture as an Emotional Trigger

Neuroarchitecture in set design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a powerful psychological tool that shapes how we react to films. Whether it’s fear, awe, warmth, or tension, the spaces in movies manipulate our brains without us even realizing it. Next time you watch a film, pay attention to the architecture of emotion—you’ll never look at movie sets the same way again.

Also Read: The Story Behind ‘The Scream’: Edvard Munch’s Inspiration and Vision

—Silviya.Y