Why are horror films more creepy if they have calm sweet sounding music?

Answer 1

The sweet music they use is often that tinkling nursery music box tune that re-acquaints you with childhood and that special fear you felt as a child.

As children we are very open to suggestion and the music takes us back to some extent to that state....works doesn't it?

Slow down any nursery rhyme tune...it always works

Answer 2

The contrapuntal sounds (the "theme" of imagery is not in accordance with the theme of the sound), for me, are always effective not only in horror but also in some other genres.

It is really hard to give a general analysis on this. It will be much better if you will give a specific scene of a movie. But here is my very abstract take on this: The calmness of the sound and the eerieness of an image creates a dialectic of emotions which is very effective in creating suspense. These dialectic creates emotional tension: The sweet sounds work as a false sense of security, but you know as an audience, there is an impending terror since you can see from the movie that the image foreshadows evil.

Answer 3

Basically, you know something bad is going to happen when you hear the calm music... I automatically get scared when I am watching a horror movie and the creepy sweet music comes on.

Answer 4

You know there is supposed to be horror so you are anticipating the things you fear. The music gives you the calm feeling you know you shouldn't have while watching this film. It's confusion of senses.

Answer 5

The calm sweet music leads you into a false sense of security, making you feel relaxed and at ease.. what better time is there to SCARE THE LIVING DAY LIGHTS OUT OF YOU! lol with a loud abrupt sound or jump or something.

Answer 6

Because it plays with your expectations. You know you are watching a horror film so music which takes you in the opposite direction reinforces the shock. If you don't believe me then ask the face at the window, oh, but now it's gone...

Answer 7

Like the Amityville Horror. With those little kids humming and singing at the beginning. Creepy.

Answer 8

Psychology- the whole point of Horror Movies is to knock You off balance emotionally with unexpected shocks,scares,disturbing imagery..if You think You're in a safe place,it's all the more of a shock when the carpet is Yanked from under You..

Answer 9

It's because the soft music lulls you into a false sense of security and you know that the horror is just around the corner...but you don't know exactly when it's going to happen or what it will be.

Answer 10

because when the bad thing happens it catchs you off guard -- like at the end of Carrie -- the girl going to the grave ( the music was sweet and gentle) and then a hand popped up through the dirt and grabbed her -- if the music was different it wouldn't have been as scary