One factor that I will always look out for in a film is the musical score. I can get caught in the world of 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 not know why, or rejoice in the triumph of that final victory.

Music charts the cinematic world as it guides us, lifts us up, and can crush our souls. This is its power.

Our Highly Commended in 2023 are The Boy and the Heron, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, M3GAN, Red, White & Brass & They Cloned Tyrone
Our Best TV Music in 2023 are Ahsoka: Season 1, Doctor Who: 2023 Specials, The Last of Us: Season 1, Loki: Season 2 & Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Season 2

So, without further ado, these are the musical scores that moved us in 2023. Be warned that there may be some slight spoilers ahead for the films in question.


And the Nominees are –

Killers of the Flower Moon

Spotify Playlist / YouTube Music Playlist

The late Robbie Robertson gives us a musical score that is part traditional voices and drums, part electric and slide guitar, and a dash of country and blues.

Oppenheimer

Spotify Playlist / YouTube Music Playlist

Ludwig Göransson provides a musical score that is both uplifting and unsettling, a perfect counterpoint to the subject material and the horrors it unleashes.

Sisu

Spotify Playlist / YouTube Music Playlist

The musical score from Juri Seppä & Tuomas Wäinölä brings these male choral elements throughout with pulsating drums to bring a marshal pulse to the proceedings.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Spotify Playlist / YouTube Music Playlist

The music is once again a film highlight, with a perfect mix of Daniel Pemberton’s original score and needle drops that fit perfectly with their created world.

Women Talking

Spotify Playlist / YouTube Music Playlist

Every part of the film is highlighted thanks to the stunning musical score from Hildur Guðnadóttir, with strings being used as counterpoints to haunting percussion.

And the Winner is!!!!!

All Of Them

Honestly, I have sat here for the last hour trying to split this final five, listing to the soundtracks again to try and find the one that just sticks it head out from the others. But no matter how much I tried; I was unsuccessful. Each is taking two or more genres and smashing them together for amazing effect. I could be listening to all of them on repeat, which I will be doing for the rest of the day.

Also, it would be remiss of me if I did not also acknowledge one musical moment of 2023 from Barbie:

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 2023?, 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 studios and artists of each film