A display apparatus includes a backlight and an aperture layer that is positioned in front of the backlight and defines a plurality of apertures. The display apparatus also includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) light modulator configured to modulate light emitted by the backlight passing through the apertures to form an image on the display apparatus. The MEMS light modulator includes a shutter (1202) that has a light blocking portion having an aperture layer-facing surface and a front-facing surface and at least one depression (1207) formed in the light blocking portion. The width of the at least one depression accounts for at least 50% but less than 100% of a distance separating two edges of the shutter. In other embodiments the shutter perimeter surface is angled. Light leakage is mitigated.