Iconic Sounds Related to Psychological Thrillers

There have been many pieces of music and sounds used in thriller films. Typically eerie music is used to create suspense and keep the audience on edge for what happens next in the narrative. Dramatic and scary music are played in many scenes that often make the audience jumpy, producing different moods and settings for thriller films.

• High pitched sounds/orchestral stabs, such as screeches. Eg. 'Psycho' when the female is stabbed in the shower - adds suspense and horror/ thriller to the film
• terrifying screams
• squeaky doors
• disturbing laughs
• diegetic sound 
• non-diegetic sound
• synchronous
• asynchronous sounds
• ambient sounds

In contrast some quieter pieces may be used, usually they are soothing with a consistent beat throughout. This type of music will have the opposite effect on the audience making them feel calm/relaxed/lulled into a false sense os security so when something happens the audience jumps suddenly and the audience will not be expecting it.

Sometimes slow music is used when a character is hiding (not during a chase scene) - adds tension and tone/atmosphere

Usually the music/sounds associated with thrillers are edgy and dark, sometimes sinister depending on the subject and generally classical. The sounds can give information to the audience about the character on screen.

Psycho: This was a groundbreaking thriller film with many iconic sounds. The film uses the famous 'da da da da' sounds, later recognised in thriller films when something pivotal is going to happen. The iconic sound usually appeared if the antagonist was creeping up on the protagonist or if a character is about to get hurt/murdered. Another famous sound used was the 'ding ding ding ding' when the woman is murdered in the shower, then changes to a lower pitch.