What makes a movie scary? The scariest horror films have the creepiest soundscapes to complement their imagery. In honor of Halloween, here’s a quick rundown of the most iconic horror film scores:
“Psycho” (1960) – scored by Bernard Herrmann
According to the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, 33% of the effect of ‘Psycho’ was due to the music. Bernard Herrmann’s distinct score makes use of a full orchestra, and is responsible for building the tension of “Psycho.” The eerie string sections reappear throughout the movie, emphasizing Hitchcock’s bleak atmosphere, and the instability of the film’s mild-mannered assailant, Norman Bates. The most notorious moment of “Psycho,” dubbed “the shower scene,” features screeching violins, and is one of the most imitated horror movie themes. Bernard Herrmann’s meticulous film score is one of the genre’s most sought after; never before has the composer’s name preceded the director’s own on the film credits roll.
“The Exorcist” (1973) – scored by Various Artists
Considered one of the most lauded horror films of all time, The Exorcist owes a lot of its showmanship to an eclectic soundtrack, anchored by the main theme song, “Tubular Bells,” by Mike Oldfield. The film relies on certain bits of silence written into the music to add suspense. Director William Friedkin’s initial attempt to score the film with Lalo Schifrin’s compositions was unsuccessful, mainly because the audience was too scared by the visuals and music of the scored film trailer. The Exorcist contains many classical compositions, with a modern twist, and some additional music by renowned songwriter, Jack Nitzsche. The film would be nothing without its suspenseful score.
“Jaws” (1975) – scored by John Williams
Although one of the most recognizable theme songs in cinematic history, the theme song to Jaws is also the most simple, constructed around two adjacent notes. Ranked the sixth greatest film score, by the American Film Institute, John Williams’ score is still embedded in pop culture. Williams described the theme song as, “grinding away at you, just as a shark would do, instinctual, relentless, unstoppable.” The scariest moments of Jaws are infused with an Academy Award winning soundtrack, proving the power music wields in the horror genre. The film’s director, Steven Spielberg, laughed at the initial presentation of the two-note theme song, but has since stated that the film would only have been half as successful without Williams’ score.
“Halloween” (1978) – scored by John Carpenter
John Carpenter’s first film of the Halloween franchise contains one of horror’s most recognizable film scores, namely the theme song. Carpenter composed and arranged most of the music in “Halloween,” writing it with the help of some cheap synthesizers. In place of a large string ensemble or symphony, Carpenter’s film score is characterized by a stripped down sound, containing mostly piano riffs. In the dark atmosphere of “Halloween,” Carpenter’s score sets the tone for each scene, emphasizing the jump scares, and firmly building mystique around the film’s antagonist, Michael Myers.
Honorable Mentions:
– “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984) – scored by Charles Bernstein
– “The Omen” (1976) – scored by Jerry Goldsmith
– “Saw” (2004) – scored by Charlie Clouser
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