Why Scary Music Sounds, Well, Scary

Horror movie soundtracks might draw on the most familiar expression of terror that we know.

By Leslie Nemo
Oct 20, 2021 1:00 PMOct 20, 2021 2:26 PM
Halloween music
(Credit: Phuttharak)

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Hiding under a pillow during a horror movie can be an effective strategy for filtering the most brutal moments in a film. But often, even behind tightly closed eyes, you can't escape the suspense, with a soundtrack cluing you in on when the protagonist is about to fight for their life, and when the threat is finally over.

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