A fearsome and beautiful masterpiece: Themes from terrifying film scores
The role that music plays in horror films and suspense dramas is incredibly significant and important.
There are ways to evoke fear through silence, of course, but iconic theme songs often have the power to make you feel fear from the melody alone, or instantly conjure vivid scenes from the film.
Here, we’re introducing a collection of terrifying yet beautiful masterpieces, centered on classic horror movies.
Many of these tracks transcend the category of “film themes” and are used in all sorts of contexts—you’ve likely heard quite a few of them at least once.
You might even discover, “So this was from that movie?”
By all means, turn off the lights and enjoy with headphones!
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Scary and Beautiful Masterpieces: Horror Movie Music and Theme Songs (41–50)
The OthersArehandoro Amenābaru
Alejandro Amenábar, a film director and composer from Santiago.
This is a piece from his film The Others.
It’s a 2001 American–Spanish–French co-produced thriller, with Tom Cruise serving as executive producer.
The story follows a family living in a sprawling mansion who are joined by three servants, after which inexplicable phenomena begin to occur in the house.
For some reason, a cute little girl’s singing voice always heightens the unease in horror films, doesn’t it?
MantraPopol Vuh
This is a piece used in the German film Nosferatu, a 1922 release that pioneered vampire horror and was remade in 1978.
While it has no big developments or showy expressions, the arrangement, which makes full use of the resonance and timbre of the strings, evokes a European sense of grandeur.
It’s so beautiful that it amply expands the image of the vampire—and it’s horror.
Saturday Wide Theater ‘Diabolic Sequence’Katakura Mikiya
I get chills remembering the opening visuals with the flashing spotlights.
The main theme that evokes a sense of madness is striking.
The way it converges into the serene second theme shows true brilliance.
In one section, they even reduce the number of strings to change the sound pressure, showcasing a playful touch befitting a maverick.
EraserheadDeviddo Rinchi
David Lynch: January 20, 1946.
An American film director, screenwriter, producer, musician, and actor.
Eraserhead: A 1977 American film.
A black-and-white movie for which David Lynch single-handedly handled production, direction, screenplay, editing, art direction, and special effects.
A work characteristic of David Lynch, who loves surrealism.
Interview with the VampireEriot to Gōrudensāru
Elliot Goldenthal: Born May 2, 1954.
A composer from New York, USA.
The film Interview with the Vampire is a 1994 American movie directed by Neil Jordan, based on Anne Rice’s novel.
There’s an anecdote that the interviewer role, originally intended for River Phoenix, was given to Christian Slater after Phoenix passed away.
The classical, operatic elements really heighten the sense of terror.
Persecution of the masses
Composed by Shiro Sagisu, this is the main theme used not only in the film Shin Godzilla but also in its trailers.
The title “masses” refers to the Mass, and the theme is characterized by choral elements that evoke a mass setting.
Hollow ManJerī Gōrudosumisu
“Invisible” is a 2000 American science fiction film produced by Columbia Pictures, based on H.
G.
Wells’s novel The Invisible Man.
After escaping from an elevator, the heroine is pursued and captured by the invisible man; the kiss scene between them is a highlight, and the dynamic score heightens the tension.