Researchers analyzed more than a hundred soundtracks across four major genres of television and movies: adventure, horror, drama, and war. Non-linear sounds are present in all of these genres, but they are more pronounced in horror and drama.2 Whether it’s a scene where a zombie is just about to attack or a couple is parting ways forever, non-linear sounds make the images even more captivating to the audience.3 Remember the terrifying T-Rex roar from Jurassic Park (1993)? That roar consists of many different animal calls mixed together to sound terrifying, including a baby elephant, a growling tiger, and an alligator.
Go ahead and enjoy your scary movie, just remember it isn’t the suspenseful music that is scary, it’s just your brain playing tricks on you!