The Soundtrack Space: Interstellar

Hans Zimmer’s score for Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar is arguably one of the most popular modern soundtracks. With its unusual use of the organ, Zimmer’s composition makes for an incredibly memorable soundtrack.

Zimmer’s soundtrack has popularity that has outreached the film’s scope. ‘Cornfield Chase’ specifically has become an iconic score utilised in TikTok audios and frequently featured in playlists. It opens with a simple rhythm consisting of two notes. A frantic piano melody is layered on top. Then, it breaks out into a beautiful melody that includes sweeping violin and dramatic organ sounds. It combines grand orchestra with technological sounds, making for a piece that demonstrates the stakes of this scene as they chase the drone. I was familiar with this piece before I watched the film, which speaks to the popularity of Zimmer’s work.

Another track that has lasting acclaim is the Interstellar theme, ‘Day One’. The subtle complexities of Zimmer’s score are demonstrated well here, as only a few notes are needed to create a memorable motif. He uses a simple piano melody, combined with a soft piano beat in the background. This is made increasingly dramatic with the inclusion of the organ and strings, crafting a noteworthy theme for Nolan’s film.

The powerful soundtrack adds depth and emotion to many scenes in Interstellar, which would otherwise be less impactful

Interstellar features complicated scientific discoveries, one of which is the discovery of the gravity anomaly in Murph’s bedroom. ‘Dust’ tracks this moment. Zimmer utilises eerie synth to reflect the unusual phenomenon. It then breaks into a rising and falling organ rhythm that resembles waves.

The most emotional beats of the film feature Cooper’s family. ‘Stay’ is the piece that soundtracks Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) trying to say goodbye to his family before he leaves for his mission. It opens quietly with a subtle organ melody, before the piece explodes in a loud crescendo that adds dramatic strings. The powerful soundtrack adds depth and emotion to many scenes in Interstellar, which would otherwise be less impactful.

‘Mountains’ tracks an action sequence in which the crew lands on a planet that is completely water, and they have limited time to collect the data they need. The piece has a constant ticking beat that is suspenseful not just in tracking how long they have been on the planet, but further because each tick represents another day passed on Earth – the stakes are incredibly high. It is a quiet noise, and yet once you notice it, you cannot unhear it. The motif from the theme is introduced and sped up, allowing for a loud crescendo. Frantic piano runs emphasise the tense situation. It is a dramatic climax.

Zimmer’s score develops emotional moments, reflects the themes of scientific discovery and the complicated nature of time, and provides suspense

As well as involving complicated space travel, the film also observes complicated human relationships and motivations. The most shocking moment, in which Professor Mann (Matt Damon) reveals his ulterior motives, is marked in the soundtrack with the piece titled ‘Coward’. The first section of the track is an ominous beat. The organ creeps in to add suspense. The main rhythm is paired with frantic climbing runs on the piano, increasing the tension. Loud, low beats punctuate the melody, suggesting danger. At the close of the piece, Zimmer’s score crescendos with a cacophony of instruments. This is an effective way to build dramatic tension while also providing an exciting piece for an action sequence.

At the end of Interstellar, Cooper (and the audience) has the realisation that all his actions and the events throughout the film are for Murph’s sake in order to give her the information she needs. The film ends with the piece titled ‘Murph’, emphasising that it is her life’s work that resolves Earth’s issues. Gradually developing organ sounds portray the sense of awe that Cooper is experiencing. It builds into a dramatic and emotional closing piece.

In my opinion, Interstellar becomes an emotional and transcendental film through Zimmer’s soundtrack. Without it, the film could easily fall into being just another sci-fi movie. Zimmer’s score develops emotional moments, reflects the themes of scientific discovery and the complicated nature of time, and provides suspense. It is truly masterful.