A multitude of different elements has to come together to make a film work. The writing, directing, cinematography, actors’ performances, sound mixing, and more have to all be as good as possible and work to complement each other to make the viewing experience genuinely great.
One of the filmmaking elements that brings so much to the table in terms of making a moving what it is is the score.
The music accompanying the visuals we see on screen does a lot of the heavy lifting when setting the tone for a scene. Music can make a viewer experience tension or suspense, and a unique score can act as a cornerstone for a film’s aesthetic.
Here are four iconic film scores from 2010 to 2019 that we will be thinking about for years to come.
1. Birdman (2014)
This black-comedy drama film from director Alejandro G. Iñárritu features performances by Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, and Emma Stone. It is filmed almost entirely as a single shot.
The film’s score, which was composed and recorded by Antonio Sánchez, is notable for its extensive use of solo jazz percussion. The composer used the best hi hats and snare drums to help set the artistic tone for the movie.
The music from this film was unfortunately disqualified from competing for an Academy Award for Best Original Score. This is because it contained too many non-original works alongside those composed by Sánchez.
Even so, the score is fondly remembered by viewers as an intriguing composition that was an integral part of the film’s aesthetic.
2. The VVitch (2015)
Robert Eggers’ debut feature film tells the story of a Puritan family portrayed by Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, and Kate Dickie. They move their home into a secluded area and are confronted by supernatural forces from the nearby woods.
The score, composed by Mark Korven, is genuinely eerie and does a fantastic job setting the tone and fleshing out the film’s environment.
To keep in line with the period setting, the score uses no modern instruments or computer-generated sounds. As such, it adds to the setting and feels as if it belongs.
In addition to this, Mark Korven wrote the score using several unconventional instruments, such as the waterphone and the nyckelharpa, that would sound unfamiliar to audiences. This makes for an exceptionally creepy experience for the viewers.
3. Us (2019)
This horror movie from director Jordan Peele follows the characters (portrayed by Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elizabeth Moss, and more) as a group of doppelgangers terrorizes them.
The score, composed by Michael Abels, adds an extra dimension of fright to the horror film experience. Its creepy tone and bombastic orchestral hits create suspense for the viewer that pairs excellently with the on-screen visuals.
Abels uses specific instruments and stylings to construct this eerie tone, such as Japanese taiko drums and violins that are played erratically. The spooky choruses of human voices send the ambiance over the top.
4. Parasite (2019)
Director Bong Joon-ho’s groundbreaking black comedy film Parasite was a critical darling that won four 2019 Academy Awards and Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or and various other recognitions.
Composer Jung Jae-il wrote the score for this movie, which was praised for adding tension to the atmosphere of various scenes.
In terms of musical stylings, this score is mainly characterized by light percussion and minimalist piano melodies.
Conclusion
These four film scores stood out from the rest in terms of overall stylism and contribution to the viewing experience. One can only guess what musical achievement feats in cinema will be accomplished in the decades to come.
