One factor that I will always look out for with a film and that is the musical score. I can get caught in the world of the music, as it sits in my head in the days, weeks, months, and even the years that come. There is immense artistry in weaving emotions from music, having us slip into the world that is created, fear the oncoming dread even if we do know why, or rejoice in the triumph of that final victory.

Music charts the cinematic world, it guides us, it can lift us up, and it can crush our souls, this is its power. So without further ado, these are the musical score that moved us in 2019. Be warned that there may be some slight spoilers ahead for the films in question and if you click on the banners you will be taken to the full review. 

Joker

If there is one aspect of Joker that I have come to appreciate, it is its musical score. It’s low rumbling cello as high notes dance over the top. It is unsettling and very fitting for the film.


Directed by – Todd Phillips
Musical Score by – Hildur Guðnadóttir
Spotify Album Link

Parasite (Gisaengchung, 기생충)

Parasite is a very weird and wonderful film and the musical score perfectly accompanies that descent into the world of class conflict and things that go bump in the night.

Directed by – Bong Joon-ho
Musical Score by – Jung Jae-il
Spotify Album Link

Rocketman

When you have all of Elton John’s catalogue to work with there is a temptation just to through the old songs out there and be done with it, but the way they incorporate them into the narrative is what sets this film apart from others. 

Directed by – Dexter Fletcher
Musical Score by – Matthew Margeson
Spotify Album Link

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

There is a lot that didn’t work in the last Star Wars film, but wow when John Williams comes out firing there is no looking back. His triumphant melodies are triumphant, his quiet longing moments are longing and it all works.

Directed by – Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey & Rodney Rothman
Musical Score by – Daniel Pemberton
Spotify Album Link

The Farewell (Bié Gàosù Tā, 別告訴她)

A musical score can be many things and one of those functions is setting the mood. With The Farewell, the combination of vocals with harps and other strings highlights the world of Billi (Awkwafina) and the conflict within.

Directed by – Lulu Wang
Musical Score by – Alex Weston
Spotify Album Link

And the Winner is!!!!!

There were many interesting musical scores this year, there were many beautiful musicals scores this year, there were many moving musical scores this year. However, for me, there was only one that hit all three of these and kept going. Alex Weston’s score is unsettling, yet comforting, it brings you into his world, yet sets you apart from it. It also captures the pain of a character and brings it to the foreground.

By Brian MacNamara: You can follow Brian on Twitter Here, when he’s not chatting about Movies and TV, he’ll be talking about International Relations, or the Solar System.

What are your favourite cinematic moments from 2019?, let us know what you thought in the comments below, feel free to share this review on any of the social medias and you can follow us Here. Check out all our past reviews and articles Here, and have a happy day. 

Credits – All images used were created by the respective studio and artist of each film