The
haunting yet subtle soundtrack to The Strangers shapes each scene and
adds a dark ominous mood to the film. In every significant scene, whether it contains
action or not, there is a presence of music to help communicate the messages.
Tomandandy composes the score. This duo includes Tom Hajdu
and Andy Milburn. These men along with Bratislava Symphony Orchestra compile an
eerie and hollow feeling throughout this horror movie. This orchestration along
with big names like Merle Haggard make a unique sounding film. I believe the
soundtrack creates an argument. The argument being that a horror film shouldn’t
rely on quick shocks of noise but rather a slow and steady rise of terror. The
soundtrack itself should compliment the horror, not cause the fear itself. The soundtrack
is very versatile. There are times of high volume or tone and times of low
volume or tone. Nevertheless, the music never outshines the action. To
summarize these main ideas I will discuss the roles of three major songs on
this soundtrack. I will also comment on how the soundtrack incorporates aspects
of ethos, pathos, and logos.
“When
merged with lyrics, music acquires a more concrete content because words, of
course, have specific references. Both words and music convey meanings, but
each in a different manner” (Giannetti, 213). The song 20 minutes into the film
makes a big impact and relates directly with this quote from Understanding
Movies. Joanna Newsom’s “Sprout and the Bean” comes in right after one of
our main characters, James, leaves the home. While his girlfriend Kristen is left in the remote country house by herself she
plays Newsom’s song on an old record player. Then comes a mysterious knocking
on the door at 4am in the morning. As the knocks on the door continue the music
increases in volume and we hear the lyrics “should we go outside?” This
connection of lyrics and action within the film heightens the viewer’s emotions
and therefor incorporates pathos. We can even see a side of credibility to the
soundtrack in the fact that it was organized well enough to have the lyrics
match up with the action in the film. This is an aspect of ethos. Again, the
action and the music work together instead of outshine one or the other. Another
quote from Understanding Movies comes to mind in this scene, “Music can also
provide ironic contrasts” (Giannetti, 216). In this scene we have a chilling
suspense being countered with an almost childish and happy sounding song in the
background. To me this is even creepier because one could infer that these
masked strangers get great pleasure and enjoyment from their actions.
The next
song influential song is “My First Lover” by Gillian Welch. Personally, this is
my favorite part of the soundtrack. This song is actually a loop of a scratch
on the CD. This creepy distorted song comes in 29 minutes into the movie.
Again, Kristen is still alone. Having the lone female in the movie being
trapped by herself plays to the viewers’ pathos. The foreign sound creates an
extremely uncomfortable mood; “There are many instances where sound is the most
economical and precise way of conveying information in film” (Giannetti, 235).
The last
song I will discuss on the soundtrack is performed by an all time great, Merle
Haggard. This is the first time I see logos used in the soundtrack. One would
think a big named star like Haggard would only be in a respectable movie. The
strangers physically enter the home and play this song, while the couple hides in
a closet desperately holding a shotgun. The lyrics themselves speak of “a
lonesome whistle blowing.” In this distant and remote country home, James and
Kristen are exactly that.
I believe
the soundtrack did a fine job shaping the essence of the scenes and creating a
dark ominous mood of the film. I do believe the soundtrack got weaker towards
the end of the movie and for that reason I give this horror film soundtrack a 4
out of 5 rating.
Soundtrack:
Joanna Newsom – The Sprout And the Bean
Gillian Welch – My First Lover (skip to 3:03)
Merle Haggard – Mama Tried
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