Thrills and Chills: The Sound of Horror

At its core, horror is all about suspense: our deepest psychological fears subverting expectations, leaving you wondering what’s lurking behind the next corner. Those are just some of the aspects we love about them, but have you ever thought about the very sounds that create those unnerving feelings? The inner workings behind every tick and light tread? And, can you think of your favourite scary movie and the role of its music score in your choice?  

Even though humans are particularly unpredictable by nature, we seek comfort in familiarity, and that’s the very reason why the horror genre manages to pull us in. Despite the genre’s lack of solace, there’s a morbid curiosity that leaves us wanting more — music plays an essential role in this allure. 

The quintessential radio-friendly pop song often follows a 4/4 time signature, with an orthodox structure comprised of an intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, and bridge pattern; horror subverts this canon, often in an unusual or jarring manner. By deconstructing our expectations of both typical film tropes and music, any masterful creation within the horror genre is able to seamlessly warp viewers into the grotesque.

In horror, sound is everything. A sudden switch-up in chords, just when one’s brain least expects it, or even a note that lingers one second too long before a jump scare. Take ‘The Exorcist’ (William Friedkin, 1973), known not only for its chilling portrayal of demonic possession and explorations of faith and doubt, but also for its groundbreaking effects and unforgettable soundtrack. The film’s title theme, Mike Oldfield’s ‘Tubular Bells’, uses piano and organ to conjure a sense of whimsy while still reflecting upon something much darker beneath the surface.

Similarly, ‘Donnie Darko’ draws heavily on its period setting by using alternative pop records from the 1980s. Echo & The Bunnymen’s ‘The Killing Moon’ and The Church’s ‘Under the Milky Way’ not only anchor us in time, but also foreshadow the gloom and existential unease that define the film. The multilayering of instruments such as the piano, xylophone, mellotron, and organ helps craft a dreamlike, eerie atmosphere riddled in alternate realities and impending doom.

More recently, ‘Sinners’ (Ryan Coogler, 2025), reviewed by the Sonic Hub team, also expertly mastered the art of the horror score. Composed by Academy Award-winner Ludwig Göransson (‘Black Panther’, ‘Oppenheimer’), the music is a powerful spiritual force at the core of the film. One of the film’s most defining instruments is Göransson’s 1932 Dobro guitar, the same one played by protagonist preacher boy Sammie (Miles Caton) in the film. Speaking to Classic FM, Göransson explained, “it helps the guitar to sing out a bit more (…) and adds a little natural distortion,” referring to its iconic silver resonator.

This interwoven relationship between Göransson’s instrument and the fictional world of ‘Sinners’ is just one example of the thoughtful craftsmanship that defines the horror genre. Despite the reported challenges of shooting the film in IMAX, one particularly striking montage stands out, an evocative medley of traditional African music, funk, jazz, hip-hop, and blues. Göransson described the experience of composing that sequence as “such an out-of-body experience,” and it’s a feeling echoed by audiences. And, as composers and songwriters often use their own experiences and memories to enhance and inform their pieces, Göransson’s instrumental choices further the point that, when it comes to film, each decision is deliberate. Whether a score carries authenticity or is used as a method to build a world so haunting through sound alone, it’s a feature that these films simply cannot exist without. Just imagine watching ‘Paranormal Activity’ or ‘The Ring’ without their clashes, phone rings, or carefully crafted Foley.

Horror music is far from just background noise; it furthers and deepens the plot of a film, adds nuance, ties up loose ends, and enhances the whole journey of watching an intricate film for the first time.  

So, with masks of murder and gruesome reveals in mind, maybe next time you watch a horror film, you’ll tune in more closely. You might find yourself noticing all the once-subtle tones and gaining a new appreciation for the soundtracks that make your skin crawl.

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WORDS PIPER GAIR

COVER PICTURE CREDIT LENNART WITTSTOCK