The Rite (Original Motion Picture Score) is the film score to the 2011 film The Rite directed by Mikael Håfström. The original score was composed by Alex Heffes and was released through Silva Screen Records on January 25, 2011.
Contents
Development
The original score is composed by Alex Heffes, who stated that he liked it owing to Håfström's direction, cinematography and performances, especially from Anthony Hopkins, whose acting was described as "jumping off point" for him and his music. Heffes added that the film was less horror and more psychologically driven with regards to the main performances, as well as the religious aspect in the film takes the music in a certain direction. The film was set in the Vatican City, where a certain musical palette had been associated, however, the music stemmed from the central performances and its treatment being a psychological horror or thriller. The score was recorded at the Warner Bros. Eastwood Scoring Stage and Barbara Streisand Scoring Stage in Sony Pictures Studios.
Reception
William Ruhlmann of AllMusic wrote "this does not sound like the music for a typical horror movie. Rather, it suggests that The Rite is a film full of foreshadowing in which the fear is as much located in what the audience anticipates than in what it actually gets to see." Glen Chapman of Den of Geek wrote "There are moments of overt horror bombast, but the overall tone of the piece is quite subdued, which makes the horror moments all the more effective. It's not a typical horror score and it's quite nice that Heffes has tried something different from the norm by not relying on gradual builds of tension."
Christopher Coleman of Tracksounds wrote "Heffes' music focuses on the subtext rather than the obvious, and the result is a satisfying and even memorable production that supports the film perfectly and offers listeners and engaging and well-rounded listening experience on album." Bill Gibron of PopMatters stated "for the most part, the soundtrack to The Rite retains a nice slice of aural originality." Steve Barton of Dread Central states that the score "comes across as good background music for a haunted house/adventure/generic horror flick". Joe Leydon of Variety called it a "first-rate" score among other technical aspects. Darren Rea of Review Graveyard wrote "this is an enjoyable soundtrack that has plenty of depth and emotion".
Personnel
Credits adapted from liner notes:
Accolades
In addition, the score was shortlisted as one among the 97 contenders for the Best Original Score category at the 84th Academy Awards.