10 Horror Films With Terrifying Sound Design

Sometimes the absence of sound can be the most effective use of sound design. One film that knows this better than most is John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place.

Set in the aftermath of a world that’s been invaded by alien creatures with super sensitive hearing, this surprisingly heartfelt film follows the Abbott family do what they must to survive while being as quiet as possible.

To immerse audiences in this monster-infested world, the film uses as little sound as required to tell its story. Dialogue and music are kept to an absolute minimum, which creates a noticeable emptiness in this post-apocalyptic world.

And whenever sound does enter the mix - like when a lantern is knocked over or an elderly man screams in anguish - they not only spell danger for the Abbotts, but feel like they're intruding in this silent world.

Moreover, the filmmakers also shift the auditory point of view between characters to help tell the story and build suspense in a unique way. Krasinski has even stated that he views the sound design as its own character, and you can understand what he means watching this film.