Walls of Thorns (Visual Imagery)
Maleficent conjures a dark barrier of twisted thorns to divide the Moors from the human realm. The wall towers over humans and magical creatures, and the individual thorns are sharp and massive. The visual imagery of Maleficent's wall of thorns evokes a sense of fear and lethal danger, as one wrong step in the maze could result in injury or death. The wall visually references the animated Disney film Sleeping Beauty, where Maleficent creates a wall of wicked brambles to prevent Prince Phillip from reaching Aurora. In Maleficent, this powerful image represents not Maleficent's evil and wickedness but the emotional boundaries she formed after Stefan's betrayal.
Nature Sounds (Auditory Imagery)
The film utilizes auditory imagery by layering nature sounds to depict the natural world of the Moors. In addition to the musical score, the sound design uses rustling leaves, chirping birds, gentle babbling brooks, and the distant sounds of wildlife to evoke the tranquil, harmonious relationship with nature found in the Moors. These sounds are silenced during conflicts with the human world, such as battle scenes.
Maleficent's Magic (Visual Imagery)
Throughout the film, Maleficent's magic is represented using colored lights. When Maleficent uses her magic for good, like healing creatures and reversing the curse, golden light flows from her hands. However, when she uses her magic for evil, it is represented by an acid-green light that appears like flames, lightning, or concentrated beams. The imagery of green magic visually references the 1959 animated film, Sleeping Beauty, when Maleficent's magic is drawn as green, flame-like bursts of energy. Maleficent expands on this visual language by adding golden charm to demonstrate the complexity of Maleficent's character.
Maleficent's Mutilated Back (Visceral Imagery)
The film depicts Stefan's betrayal by showing two gaping wounds, with stubs of wings, on Maleficent's back where her wings were cut. Though not gratuitously gory, this imagery is highly visceral, forcing the audience to feel Maleficent's pain and sense of violation. Maleficent screams, weeps, and moves gingerly, demonstrating how damaging the loss of her wings is to both her body and soul.
