Sony Music Masterworks releases the original motion picture soundtrack to the psychological horror film The Prodigy. Directed by Nicholas McCarthy, the movie has Taylor Schilling playing a mother, Sarah, whose young son Miles is suspected through his behaviour of being possessed by an evil entity. She is caught between the instinct to protect her son and seek help. Deciding to delve into the past, she begins to lose touch with reality. The composer Joseph Bishara has previously worked on the scores for The Conjuring 1 & 2, Annabelle, Insidious 1, 2 & 3, and The Other Side of the Door...

I must say that, based on Bishara’s prolific background of recent prominent horror scores and the fact he uses influences of Classical, Punk and Industrial noise, I was expecting much from this release. Apparently, this was his “opportunity to explore the multi-life patterns of a soul’s journey, and bridging that connection into the real world where the struggle for survival takes place.” Hmm... This release is a little disappointing, to say the least. I was anticipating longer and more melodic suites; definitely something more exciting and varied. I realise that much of this is incidental music, meant to enhance the action and emotion on the screen, but as a separate listening experience it’s severely lacking.

I think this approach attempts soundscapes interspersed with surprises, but in doing so somewhat restricts itself. For example, 'Took My Hand' (track 2) jumps straight into horror territory with sudden jolts and slams, pauses and further jolts. This seems to be the order of the day. There are quiet piano and strings, with occasional woodwind and percussion, and the odd keyboard breaks. Only the final track, 'Hands Are Calling', offers-up an entire orchestral moment – accompanied by a brief hummed voice.

Looking back at my notes, there seems to be one repeated process. I have written words such as ‘screeching’, ‘knife-like slashes’, ‘jolts’, etc. This probably makes my point that the soundtrack is sadly more about effect than substance. I have reviewed so many strong scores recently, which is undoubtedly why this one comes across as such a let-down.

3

Ty Power