Sting (Anna Dubrich)

Sting, a 2024 horror flick, buzzed into theatres with a unique blend of chills and chuckles. Directed by a newcomer to the genre, the film stars a cast of fresh faces and seasoned veterans, weaving a tale that’s as eerie as it is eccentric. At the box office, it performed with a modest sting, neither swarming the charts nor falling into obscurity. The score for Sting is by Russian-born Anna Dubrich, a composer whose work I’ve been unfamiliar with so far. She’s earned a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree from the Munich School for Performing Arts, has wonder several musical awards and worked with Marco Beltrami on Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and Fear Street.

Founders Day (Timothy Williams)

Founders Day boasts a soundtrack by Timothy Williams that’s as stark and unyielding as the film’s narrative. Eschewing melody for mood, Williams’ score—dominated by electric guitars and synths—provides an aggressive backdrop to the on-screen action, but is it any good?

The First Omen (Mark Korven)

Mark Korven’s score for The First Omen is a masterclass in horror music, a cacophony of dark, scary, and chaotic sounds that unsettle the soul. The use of atonal music is particularly effective; it defies our usual sense of harmony, creating an atmosphere that is as unpredictable as it is unnerving. This lack of conventional harmony is a staple in the horror genre, challenging the listener’s expectations and heightening the sense of fear.