Classical Music in Psychological Thriller Openeing Sequences.

The type of music used in a films opening is a reflection of the psychographic audience the movie is trying to attract. In terms of the psychology of music the reformer and explorer groups or those rated high in openness (the type of audience a psychological thriller appeals to) tend to prefer more novel and complex music, such as classical, jazz , intense and alternative. People rating higher in openness also tend to rate higher in self-assessed intelligence, meaning that an alternative/ classical soundtrack for a psychological thriller movie is going to attract the audience the film makers intended.

Surprisingly classical music is often used in psychological thriller movies in order to create a more intense emotional attachment for the audience. Lux Aeterna used for the soundtrack of Requiem for a Dream was specifically adapted by Clint Mansell for the movie. The tone of music gives a very intense and almost sinister atmosphere to a very bright image track. If the composition was not present the films opening would have a  very different much happier atmosphere to it, therefore this is a perfect example of the effect the soundtrack has on the way an audience reacts to a film.

Similarly the opening sequence to Black Swan has the swan lake composition to accompany its opening sequence. This adaptation of the traditional swan lake piece was also by Clint Mansell  and creates a similar atmosphere to that of Requiem for a dream. Both pieces start off very concordant creating a slow and peaceful mood to the beginning of the sequence however they become very discordant by the end of the track making the audience in edge for the movie. In Black Swans the soundtrack as well as the title give an insight to the films main theme (ballet). Foreshadowing is also present within the soundtrack as shattering glass in  an artificial sound that has been added into this modern adaptation of Swan Lake in order to drop hints to the audience about the unfolding plotline. Overall classical music is effectively used to transition the atmosphere from calm to tense even when it contrasts the image track, this is essential for this genre of film as they create enigma and intrigue the audience as well as set they type of audience the film is aimed at (reformer and explorer psychographic groups) from the very beginning.