10 Grisly Horror Movies With Surprisingly Beautiful Music Scores

4. Stake Land (2010)

The Midnight Meat Train
IFC Films

Composer: Jeff Grace

Listen To: "Goodbye Belle" and "New Eden"

Before vampires were synonymous with glitter, there was a time in which they were respected; feared. Near Dark, 30 Days of Night Blade 2... movies that displayed the brilliance of vampiric lore all the while applying their own piece of imagination to the bloody pie. Adding to this unfortunately small list is Stake Land, the second feature from writer/director Jim Mickle.

Crossing a toothy yarn with that of a Terrence Malick narration, Stake Land sees a young man guided through a post-apocalyptic world by a drifter known only as "Mister" (an always excellent Nick Damici). The problem? Most of the land has decayed and what hasn't succumbed to famine has been overrun with ferocious vampires that would rather eviscerate than gently suckle on a tender neck.

Taking a cue from the depressing Cormick McCarthy novel The Road, Stake Land is rather uncompromising what with its expendable characters and dreary atmosphere. Yet, the film is also resolute in its message that there is hope, even in the darkest moments.

Composed by Jeff Grace (who is also the mastermind behind the incredible OST for the equally incredible Cold in July), Stake Land's music feels akin to a somber western. It's rife with twanging guitars, mournful violins, and when the going gets vampiric, the hounding of abrasive percussion.

Most of the songs embody a sense of loss and at once discovery. As this is a coming of age tale, they urge an acknowledgment to both the positive and dire paths life can take. Calling this orchestration merely a soundtrack doesn't do it enough justice. This as much a meditative excursion for the ears as it is the eyes.

Contributor

Greetings from The Yentz! The Warrior of the Wasteland! The Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla! I live, eat and breathe film... And videogames... And comics... And, well... Anything that might be considered "nerd related". I consider myself the voice against that of mainstream cinema. While critics might praise the ostentatious drivel supplied by Oscar-pandering films, I enjoy directing attention to less popular gems in hopes of educating people on incredible film experiences that may not be backed by massive studios, nominations and a star-studded cast. Outside of WhatCulture!, I write for Movieweb, assisted BlueCat as a script analyst, have worked on films from the east coast to the west and continue to write, critique and direct here in the lovable land of ol' LA. I hope you enjoy reading my diatribes as much as I enjoy writing them.