To this point known mostly for his TV music, such as Battlestar Galactica and the Celtic folk-flavored Outlander soundtracks,
Bear McCreary's original score for the horror-thriller
10 Cloverfield Lane was released in a busy year for the composer that also included the horror films The Boy and
The Forest. Here, eerie strings and dissonant symphonic textures provide the early atmosphere. As the story progresses, tension builds, with more urgent moments marked by drums and struck objects (including garbage cans), along with percussive rhythms on instruments stretching from double bass to high-pitched mallet instruments. Startle effects are fair game ("At the Door"), and
McCreary will likely find himself in demand for more thrillers. ~ Marcy Donelson