Buzz
[WARNING: This list includes unsettling audio and visuals.] Sound is a critical yet often overlooked element in filmmaking. While it’s clear that dedicated teams work meticulously to refine audio in professional films, their efforts are less visible compared to, for instance, a stunt performer’s daring feats.
This isn’t about the musical score. Some of Hollywood’s most memorable audio moments aren’t songs but rather subtle, everyday sounds—like the flush of a toilet or the rush of water in a sink—used to enhance realism in bathroom scenes. Below are ten of the most iconic, and occasionally unsettling, examples.
10. Infrasound and the Sense of Impending Disaster
[WARNING: The linked YouTube video contains subaudible frequencies that may cause severe discomfort. Proceed with caution.] Gaspar Noé’s 2002 thriller Irreversible elicits intense emotional reactions. The film opens with a highly graphic rape scene, which we strongly advise against viewing (consider this a “trigger warning” for sensitive viewers). The remainder of the movie is equally intense, far from the lighthearted tone of High School Musical, and it’s no surprise that it leaves many viewers deeply unsettled.
However, the film’s unsettling nature isn’t solely due to its graphic violence. Many viewers described an overwhelming sense of unease, particularly during the chaotic opening scenes. While some attributed this to the director’s skill, he later revealed that infrasound was intentionally used to evoke this reaction in the first half-hour of the movie.
For those unfamiliar, infrasound refers to audio frequencies just below the range of human hearing. It doesn’t need to be entirely inaudible; even nearing the lower threshold can make you “feel” its effects.
Since infrasound is felt rather than heard, it often triggers unexplained sensations of deep unease. Hollywood has used this technique effectively, though sparingly, to evoke a creeping sense of terror in horror films. Interestingly, infrasound is also linked to natural disasters, suggesting that our reaction to it may be an innate survival mechanism.
9. When Hollywood Forced Us to Hear Animal Mating Sounds
Contrary to popular opinion, Jeff Goldblum wasn’t the only standout in the Jurassic Park series. The films are also celebrated for their realistic portrayal of dinosaurs. Despite having no living reference, the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park felt authentic and dynamic. So, how did the creators determine what these ancient creatures sounded like?
In short, they didn’t know. While we rarely imagine sounds for ancient creatures, Jurassic Park changed that by inventing dinosaur noises from scratch, setting a new standard. For those curious about their creation, the sounds were pieced together from recordings of animals during mating. The velociraptor’s calls come from tortoises, while the T-rex’s roar is derived from dolphins in heat. Imagine how many parents might have reconsidered taking their kids to the theater if they knew they’d be subjected to over two hours of animal mating sounds.
8. Time Dilation in Inception
Inception stands out as one of the rare films where sound design plays a pivotal role in its narrative. Hanz Zimmer’s score is arguably one of his finest achievements, and like many elements of the movie, it conceals subtle secrets that only become apparent when Mytour reveals them.
A recurring track in the film—Edith Piaf’s ‘Non, je ne regrette rien’—serves more than just an artistic purpose. Fans discovered that the song’s duration—2:28 minutes—might have directly influenced the movie’s runtime of 2:28 hours.
However, the most dedicated fans noticed even more astonishing details in the score. The iconic French song is subtly woven into other parts of the soundtrack. As shown in the clip above, the dream sequences feature music that’s slowed down and bass-heavy. The time signature of these dream sequences aligns perfectly with the original song, stretched to match the time dilation experienced in the dreams and adjusted for auditory appeal.
7. Star Trek’s Warp Drive
Star Trek is celebrated for its groundbreaking approach to incorporating ordinary sounds into its futuristic universe. Given the show's ambitious setting, which was uncharted territory at the time, the creators had to invent numerous new sounds. Among these, the warp drive stands out as one of the most iconic and inventive auditory creations in the series.
Today, the warp sound is instantly recognizable, but in the past, it was a challenge to conceptualize. Doug Grindstaff, the sound designer, aimed to craft a genuine effect that would set the standard for all future warp drive sounds. His efforts were largely successful, leaving a lasting impact.
To achieve the warp-drive sound, Grindstaff revisited his alma mater and borrowed a test oscillator from the physics lab. This ingenious move resulted in a sound effect that has become ingrained in popular culture. Alongside other trailblazing films, Star Trek's sound design helped shape the sci-fi genre for years to come, leaving an enduring legacy.
6. The Lightsaber
Star Wars stands as a classic franchise renowned for its innovative sound design, particularly its unforgettable musical score. However, its most significant achievements in sound design, much like others on this list, often involve subtle sounds that go unnoticed by the audience.
Consider the lightsaber. While many assume its sound was computer-generated, it’s easy to overlook the technological limitations of the time. The iconic sound was crafted from everyday objects, specifically the hum of an idle film projector blended with the static buzz of a television.
Another memorable sound from the series, the blaster gun’s distinctive ‘pew pew,’ was created by striking a thick wire with a hammer. Now that’s a job I’d love to have!
5. Psycho Stabbing
In the realm of psychological horror, Alfred Hitchcock set an unparalleled standard. His films remain some of the most iconic thrillers ever made, thanks to his pioneering use of camera techniques and sound design. Psycho, in particular, stands out as a masterpiece, employing clever tools and methods that redefined the genre.
One of the most unforgettable moments is the shower scene, where the hotel guest is murdered—a scene that has become synonymous with the film. The sound design played a crucial role in its impact, and it delivered brilliantly. What made it stand out at the time was the absence of music, which amplified the scene's tension and unease.
The sparse yet chilling sounds in the final edit were achieved through creative techniques. For instance, the gruesome stabbing sounds were produced by plunging a knife into casaba melons. Once you know this, rewatch the scene, and you’ll instantly identify the true source of those unsettling noises.
4. The Ringwraiths of The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings marked the dawn of a new era in fantasy films, much like its literary counterpart, shaping the genre as we know it today. The movie’s sound design was masterfully executed, with several fascinating behind-the-scenes secrets.
The eerie sound of the Ringwraiths, for example, was created by rubbing plastic cups together. Suddenly, they seem a little less intimidating, don’t they? Another iconic sound, the Balrog’s menacing growls, was captured by recording the noise of rocks grinding against the floor. It’s probably best not to delve further, or you might never view the films the same way again.
3. The Art of Foley Effects
If you haven’t realized it yet, many of the sound effects we’ve discussed aren’t elaborate musical compositions requiring genius-level creativity. Instead, they are ordinary sounds that bring movie scenes to life so seamlessly that we often overlook them. These techniques elevated Hollywood filmmaking to a level where audiences could immerse themselves in a fantasy world for hours. Today, this magic extends to our living rooms, thanks to platforms like ThePirateBay Apple TV and Disney+.
We owe much of this to Jack Foley, the sound effects engineer who revolutionized the art of using everyday objects to replicate human interactions and environmental sounds. This craft, aptly named after him, is a true art form (as demonstrated in the video above). When executed flawlessly, it goes unnoticed, which is the hallmark of its success.
2. The Wilhelm Scream
Sound design is a cornerstone of filmmaking, with certain sounds becoming so iconic that they shape how we remember movies. Some sounds, however, transcend individual films. The Wilhelm Scream, familiar to Mytour readers, is the most widely recognized and frequently used sound effect in cinema. Just one listen, and you’ll instantly understand its enduring popularity. Check out the video above for a humorous, albeit low-quality, compilation of its appearances across various films.
As the name implies, it’s a human scream that first appeared in a 1951 film. However, it gained widespread recognition after Warner Brothers featured it in the 1953 movie ‘The Charge at Feather River.’ Since then, the Wilhelm Scream has become a staple in cinema, used to depict characters falling or being shot in countless films.
If you’ve watched any major film over the past fifty years—such as Star Wars, Avengers, Avatar, The Hunger Games, or Indiana Jones—you’ve undoubtedly heard this scream. You just might not have realized it.
1. The Mysterious Punching Sounds in Raging Bull
The sound of a punch is one of the most iconic yet underappreciated elements in Hollywood. When executed well, it blends seamlessly into the scene, often going unnoticed by the audience.
Raging Bull revolutionized the way punch sounds are used in films. It was the first movie to experiment with the acoustics of bar fights, employing a variety of sounds to match the tone of each scene. This added a layer of depth that most viewers wouldn’t consciously notice. The film remains a standout achievement for both Martin Scorsese and sound editor Frank Warner. To this day, the methods behind these sounds remain a closely guarded secret. So, the next time you hear a powerful punch in a movie or TV show, remember that Raging Bull paved the way.
