Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are accomplished musicians renowed for their founding of the band Nine Inch Nails, a prominent industrial rock ensemble. Their musical prowess extends beyond their succesful musical carrer, as they have become celebrated composers for film and television. Their compositions have garnered significant acclaim for their exceptional scores, originality, and meticulous production, solidifying their status as highly esteemed composers in the industry. Their remarkable body of work has earned them numerous prestigious awards, further attesting to their inmense talent and contribution to the field of composition.
Clarification : I am not considerating their works in Natural Born Killers (1994), Lost Highway (1997) and The Crow (1994) because they on only release singles for the movies they didnt work on the full soundtrack and also no including the Halsey colaboration in 2021.
Here are some notable works by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross as composers in the realm of film and television.
1 The Social Network (2010)
This marked their debut as composers under the guidance of director David Fincher, as they embarked on crafting the musical landscape for the narrative centered around Facebook’s creator, Mark Zuckerberg. Their exceptional work garnered them their inagural Oscar, surpassing Hans Zimmer’s score for “Inception”. The soundtrack itself is wonderful, seamlessly blending electronic elements with the haunting presence of an electric guitar, effectively evoking tension and discomfort. The composition posseses a distinct and unconventional quality, characterized by it’s intentionally raw and unpolished essence. In essence, it offers an unconventional auditory experience, one that captivated audiences and critics alike. In 2010, this innovate approach to film scoring was considered groundbreaking, capturing the attention and accolades throughout the awards season.
2 The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo (2011)
Once again collaborating with director David Fincher, they reunite in another film adaptation of a renowed book. This time, the musical composition takes on a notably darker and more somber tone, boasting a distinct and unique syle and contrasting very well with the plot. Notably, the soundtrack features a cover of a Led Zeppelin track, along with collaborations with various artists. The overall atmosphere is characterized by a gothic, tension-laden ambience. The composition garnered highly positive reviews and garnered significant nominations for prestigious awards. Worh mentioning is extended duration of the soundtrack, with a runtime of nearly three hours, further emphasizing it’s immersive and comprehensive nature.
3 Gone girl (2014)
For the third collaboration with david fincher, they once again venture into a film adapatation of a book, this time exploring the realms of mystery and thriller. The accopmpanying soundtrack encapsulates an aura of intrigue, characterized by an increased utilization of electronic elements. The musical arrangement cultivates a sense of tension and density, marked by sophisticated aound design and meticulous production, surpassing their previous works in terms of advancement and complexity.
4 Before the flood (2016) Documental
This documentary, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, delves into the realm of nature. The accompanying soundtrack takes a serene and soothing approach, employing simpler tones to create a calming atmosphere. The composition also includes collaborations with other artists, adding an artistic and contemplative dimension to the album.
5 Patriot’s day (2016)
In their first venture outside the realm of collaboration with David Fincher, they contribute to a film based on true events surrounding the 2012 Boston attack. The accompanying soundtrack reverbates with a palpable sense of tension, imbuling the film with a somber and police-centric atmosphere. The resulting album proves to be captivating and throught-provoking, offering a compelling auditory experience.
6 The Vietnam War (2017) Documental/Series
In this instance, the music resonates with a distinct warlike quality, initially presenting itself in a passive manner before dynamically transitioning into something more aggresive. While the series and it’s accompanying soundtrack may not enjoy widespread recognition, it stands as a testament to their solid and commendable craftsmanship.
7 Mid90s (2018)
Contributing to Jonah Hill’s directorial debut, this particular endeavor stands as their shortest album, comprising a mere four songs. Each track exudes an ambient and tranquil quality, resulting in a serene musical experience. Despite it’s brevity, the album remains a commendable offering, showcasing their skill and artistry in delivering a cohesive and satisfying product.
8 Bird Box (2018)
This particular project proved to be somewhat controversial, as they expressed regret regarding their involvement in the film, citing it as an unfavorable experience. This sentiment is reflected, to some extent, in their work, as it falls short of their ususal standards, appearing rather generic and moderately unremarkable. However, considering their perspective, one can understand the underlying reasons for this outcome.
9 Watchmen (2019) TV Show
This particular project stands out as one of their finest endeavors thus far, resulting in their well-deserved acquisition of an Emmy Award. The accompanying album showcases a captivating fusion of Grunge and Underground elements, integrating electronic sounds with a rock-inspired edge. The composition exudes liveliness and epicness, while simultaneously incorporating elements of jazz and classical music, aligning with the narrative’s utilization of flashbacks and flashforwards. The emotional impact and adrenaline-inducing qualities, when combined with the visuals, create an undeniable masterpiece.
10 Waves (2019)
This film garnered limited recognition, with new festival appearances and a modest reception from the general public, despite receiving positive reviews. The accompanying music, while skillfully crafted, leans towards a more conventional approach, delivering a solid and commendable result in line with their consistent track record of quality work.
11 Mank (2020)
After a span of six years, they reunite with their long-standing collaborator David Fincher, embarking on their most distinctive project to date. Their remarkable work in this endeavor earn them yet another Oscar nomination. Creating an album rooted in jazz and classical music from the 1940s and 1950s, they successfully transport listeners back to that era, evoking a genuine and realistic experience. The composition resonates with a sense of tranquility and emotional depth, capturing the essence of the time period in a remarkably authentic manner.
12 soul (2020)
In their first foray into the realm of animated films under the banner of Disney/Pixar, they achieve their second Oscar accolade. This time around, the music exhibits a blend of realism and futurism, evoking a captivating and emotional tone. Retaining a sense of familiarity, the composition breathes new life into their previous body of work, offering a refreshing and invigorating auditory experience. Their efforts in this endeavor exemplify their skill and craftsmaship, resulting in a commendable and noteworthy achievement.
13 Bones And All (2022)
Following a two-year hiatus from soundtracks, they make a compelling return characterized by intensity, violence, and intrigue, accompanied by a touch of country influences. The resulting composition exudes a disconcerting aura, meticulously crafted with meticulous attention to detail, showcasing a departure from their previous works and exploring new sonic territories previously unexplored.
14 Empire Of Light (2022)
Arguably, this particular endeavor stands as one of their most joyful works, evoking a festive and tranqui atmosphere reminiscente of the 1960s. The composition adopts a leisurely pace, offering a welcome deviation from their previous projects, showcasing a commintment to avoid creative repetition. Notably, their ability to explore diverse musical styles and genres across their body of work contributes to the awe-inspiring nature of their output, rendering each endeavor exceptional regardless of the specific artistic direction pursed.
15 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles : Mutant Mayhem (2023)
Although this movie is yet to be released, it has generated significant anticipation, marking their return to the realm of animated films alongside collaborator Seth Rogen. Speculation surrounds the accompanying soundtrack, with expectations leaning towards an epic and rock-infused composition, imbued with a more heroic quality. The reception of the film itself remains to be seen, and there is eager anticipation for the soundtrack to live up to the high standards set by their previous works in terms of it’s epic nature.
Release date : August 2nd
16 Challengers (2023)
This upcoming film, shrouded in mystery, reunites them with director Luca Guadagnino, with whom they previously collaborated on “Bones And All”. Described as a romance with elements of a thriller, the soundtrack is anticipated to evoke a sense of unease yet deliver emotional depth or tranquility. As the film’s release approaches, it remains to be seen if the music will garner award nominations, adding further recognition to their body of work.
Release date : September 15th
17 The Killer (2023)
Returning to their roots, they embark on their fifth collaboration with David Fincher, delving into another captivating criminal thriller. Expectations are high, fueled by the success of their previous joint endeavors. Anticipation mounts as audiences and critics alike eagerly await the film’s release, holding the potential to solidify it’s status as a future classic. Futhermore, there is keen interest in observing if this latest collaboration will garner award nominations, further cementing their reputation as exceptional creators in the industry.
Release date : November 10th
