Understanding Colour in ‘Breaking Bad’: A Subtle, Visual Language
‘Breaking Bad’, widely regarded as one of the greatest TV shows of all time, is known for its intricate storytelling, compelling characters, and masterful direction. One of the most fascinating aspects of the show is its deliberate use of colour as a storytelling tool. The creators of ‘Breaking Bad’—especially showrunner Vince Gilligan and cinematographer Michael Slovis—employed colour with remarkable precision, using it to subtly communicate the emotional and psychological states of characters, foreshadowing plot developments, and reinforcing themes throughout the series.
This visual language is so pervasive that viewers can often glean insights about a character’s mindset or trajectory simply by paying attention to the colours they wear or the colours present in their environment. Let’s dive into how ‘Breaking Bad’ uses colour to enhance the storytelling.
The Colour Palette: A Symbolic Representation of Characters
From the very first episode, the colour scheme in ‘Breaking Bad’ is meticulously planned to reflect the personalities, emotions, and transformations of the characters. Certain colours are repeatedly associated with specific individuals, evolving as the characters themselves change throughout the series.
Walter White: The Shift From Beige to Black
Walter White’s colour journey mirrors his transformation from a mild-mannered, defeated chemistry teacher into the ruthless dr*g lord, Heisenberg. In the beginning, Walter is often seen wearing beige, white, and light pastel colours—shades that reflect his mundane and unassuming life as a high school teacher and father. These neutral colours signify his passivity and sense of powerlessness in his circumstances.
As the series progresses and Walter embraces his criminal identity, the colours he wears grow darker and more aggressive. The iconic black hat and dark clothing of Heisenberg symbolize his descent into moral darkness, his willingness to embrace violence, and his transformation into a dangerous figure. This shift from light to dark is not just a visual cue; it reflects Walter’s inner corruption as he rationalizes his increasingly brutal decisions.
Skyler White: The Colour Blue and Duality
Skyler White, Walter’s wife, is often associated with the colour blue. Initially, Skyler wears soft shades of blue, symbolizing calm, control, and her role as a stabilizing force in Walter’s life. Blue represents her desire for normalcy and order, especially as she works to maintain her family’s financial stability and care for their children.
However, as Skyler becomes more entangled in Walter’s criminal enterprise—first through money laundering and later as she grapples with the moral implications of his actions—her shades of blue become darker. This reflects her own internal struggle, caught between protecting her family and being complicit in Walter’s increasingly dangerous world. Her descent into darker shades also represents her growing awareness of the moral compromises she has made.
Hank Schrader: The Bold Orange of Tenacity
Hank Schrader, Walter’s brother-in-law and a DEA agent, is frequently seen in bold, bright colours, especially orange. Orange, a colour often associated with energy, determination, and tenacity, fits Hank’s boisterous and stubborn personality. His vibrant shirts reflect his tough, outgoing nature and his commitment to law enforcement.
As Hank inches closer to discovering Walter’s secret, however, the vibrancy of his colours begins to fade. This reflects his vulnerability, particularly after his near-fatal encounter with the cartel, which leaves him physically and emotionally broken. His colour palette becomes more subdued as his health and confidence wane, reflecting his changing role in the narrative as he transitions from a confident lawman to a man struggling with self-doubt.
Jesse Pinkman: Red and Yellow—Anger and Danger
Jesse Pinkman’s colour palette evolves as a reflection of his tumultuous emotional journey. Initially, Jesse is often seen wearing vibrant, youthful colours like yellow and red. Yellow, a colour frequently associated with risk and warning, mirrors Jesse’s volatile nature and reckless behaviour, as well as the danger of the dr*g world he inhabits. Red, on the other hand, represents his anger and emotional volatility, as well as the violence that surrounds him.
As Jesse’s relationship with Walter deepens, and he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the dr*g trade, the colours he wears grow darker. Like Walter, Jesse’s shift from bright colours to more muted, darker tones reflects his growing sense of guilt, moral conflict, and the trauma he endures. By the end of the series, Jesse is often seen in black and grey, visually conveying the emotional toll that his life in the dr*g trade has taken on him.
Marie Schrader: Purple and Obsession
Marie Schrader, Hank’s wife and Skyler’s sister, is consistently associated with the colour purple, to the point that it becomes almost an obsession for her. Nearly everything Marie owns—her clothes, home décor, and even her accessories—is purple. In the context of ‘Breaking Bad’, purple is often interpreted as a symbol of control and obsession, reflecting Marie’s compulsive tendencies and her desire to maintain a sense of order in her life.
Marie’s colour serves as a counterpoint to the chaos that surrounds her, particularly as Hank’s investigation into Walter’s criminal activities intensifies. Her rigid attachment to purple is a form of coping, a way for her to exert control over her environment when everything around her is unravelling. Interestingly, when Marie is forced to confront the reality of Walter’s actions and the destruction it causes to her family, we begin to see her in more neutral tones, representing a loss of her sense of control.
Colour as Foreshadowing and Symbolism
In addition to character development, ‘Breaking Bad’ uses colour to foreshadow key events and emphasize the narrative’s broader themes of moral decay, power, and greed. Specific colours are often linked to violence and death, offering subtle clues about the dangers characters face.
The Colour Green: Money and Greed
The colour green is most closely associated with wealth and greed in ‘Breaking Bad’. Walter’s signature green shirt, which he wears early in the series, symbolizes his financial desperation and his initial justification for entering the dr*g trade—to provide for his family. As Walter accumulates more wealth, however, green comes to represent the corrupting power of money and his insatiable greed.
Green also appears in the form of physical money itself. The stacks of cash that pile up throughout the series serve as a visual reminder of how far Walter has strayed from his original intentions, consumed by his desire for control and power.
Yellow and Red: Warning and Violence
Yellow and red frequently appear in scenes involving danger, violence, or moral conflict. For example, the hazardous suits worn by Walter and Jesse during their me*h-cooking sessions are yellow, signalling both the physical and moral risks involved in their work. The colour red, often associated with violence and bloodshed, appears in pivotal moments of conflict, foreshadowing tragedy or loss.
A Masterclass in Visual Storytelling
The use of colour in ‘Breaking Bad’ is a subtle yet powerful tool that deepens the emotional resonance of the show and enriches the storytelling. Vince Gilligan and his team created a visual language that operates beneath the surface of the plot, influencing how viewers perceive characters and events, often without them even realizing it. Whether it’s Walter’s transformation through darker colours, Skyler’s internal conflict reflected in shades of blue, or Marie’s obsessive attachment to purple, the careful application of colour adds layers of meaning to every scene.
Also Read: Movie Posters: The Psychology Behind its Designs
By paying attention to the colours in ‘Breaking Bad’, viewers can uncover hidden clues, gain insight into character motivations, and appreciate the show’s intricate craftsmanship in a whole new light. This attention to detail is one of the many reasons ‘Breaking Bad’ remains a benchmark for excellence in television storytelling.
–Silviya.Y
