10 Best Horror Movie Musicals To Watch This Halloween 2020

2. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street (2007)

Sweeney Todd
Paramount Pictures

It was pure genius to have Tim Burton direct the film version of Sweeney Todd because he gave it the much needed gothic visuals to amplify such a gloomy musical. The cinematography is comprised of drab monochrome colours, setting the sinister tone and allowing for the graphic imagery of blood to stand out greater. The designs of the ensemble truly look like an authentic representation of the Victorian era.

The film also holds up immensely because of the casting. From Johnny Depp's baleful performance as the titular character to Alan Rickman as the villanous Judge Turpin, the characters are what heighten the histrionic drama.

The story of Sweeney Todd is violent, tragic and even comical in moments. It's a musical which goes against the stereotype of everything being 'happy and perfect', as it ushers in themes of gore, murder and revenge.

There are very few glimpses of brightness, which is why Mrs. Lovett's by the sea fantasy is such a visually striking moment, and whilst there are noticeably darker changes from the Sondheim stage version to the film adaptation, Burton is able to execute them with such artistic flair.

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