The Soundtrack Space: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games is one of the most iconic films in modern pop culture history. It changed the landscape of the young-adult dystopian genre and has not lost its cultural relevance. James Newton Howard’s score is an integral part of the film, serving both to increase suspense and develop emotional scenes.

Katniss is introduced in a scene of her hunting in the forest. ‘Katniss Afoot’ has folk influences, utilising acoustic guitar and wind instruments. This track effectively mirrors her background in District 12, an impoverished district centred on music (think Lucy Grey Baird). The use of a violin melody becomes a motif for Katniss. The piece suddenly ends as Gail interrupts Katniss’s hunt.

‘Entering the Capitol’ sets a threatening mood for their introduction to this new world of the Capitol

‘Reaping Day’ is an ominous piece, opening with a rhythm of low strings that is offset by trumpets. Grand trumpets are often used in association with the Capitol, so their use here may suggest the Capitol’s influence within the districts. This piece is threatening, reflecting the mood of the scene and how terrifying the reality of the reaping is.

Katniss and Peeta are stripped of everything they know and taken to the Capitol. ‘The Train’ is an emotional piece as they are leaving their families behind. The cascading string melody adds emotional weight to the scene.

‘Entering the Capitol’ sets a threatening mood for their introduction to this new world of the Capitol. It opens with a crescendo of choral sounds. Then, this dramatically shifts to an uncomfortable melody that combines a strong, pulsing beat with alarm sounds that resemble screams of anguish. It is a markedly different sound from the music that was used to introduce District 12, demonstrating the differences and inequalities between these two sections of society. The string motif from ‘Katniss Afoot’ is brought in at the end to reflect Katniss’s initiation into the Capitol.  

The plucking guitar is a comforting sound, in contrast to the music of the Capitol

One of the most recognisable of Howard’s tracks is ‘Horn of Plenty’. This is the theme for Panem, a grand piece that combines orchestral strings, ceremonious drums, and trumpets. It also features lyrics that glorify Panem. They sing “one horn of plenty for us all”, symbolising the supposed equality that the district system provides, as the “horn of plenty” means “cornucopia”, a symbol of wealth and abundance. It is ironic that this is the theme, as there is an obvious lack of equality in Panem. Moreover, the cornucopia symbol appears again in a literal way as the place where the tributes get the weapons from at the start of the games.

The drama of ‘Horn of Plenty’ is escalated at the moment the chariots begin their procession. The loud drumbeat functions onscreen, as we see a string of drummers playing this beat alongside the procession. This further portrays the wealth of the Capitol through the grandeur of the tribute ceremony.

Rue’s death is the most heartbreaking moment of The Hunger Games. ‘Rue’s Farewell’ opens quietly – the plucking guitar is a comforting sound, in contrast to the music of the Capitol. Then, it blossoms into a beautiful string melody that becomes an important motif, signalling important moments and revolutionary spirit. Katniss’s actions to memorialise Rue send shockwaves throughout the districts, as reflected in the end of the piece, where the sound grows much more tense as we see the harsh measures used against revolutionaries in District 11.

He makes intentional use of motifs to deepen emotional scenes and reflect the revolutionary spirit of certain moments

Howard emphasises the terror of the mutts being introduced to the games in the finale in the track titled ‘Muttations’. Sudden changes in tempo and loud noises reflect the horror of the situation as Katniss and Peeta are chased by these lab-created predators. Fast-paced drumbeats accompany their frantic running. Howard employs electric guitar rhythms to give the piece greater urgency. The ending of the piece is bittersweet, utilising an emotional string melody as they witness Cato’s suffering.

‘Tenuous Winners/Returning Home’ opens with a hopeful melody as Katniss and Peeta realise they are the victors of the Hunger Games and will be able to go home. Howard uses the motif from ‘Rue’s Farewell’ to add emotional depth to the ending, as there are two survivors, but so many children died. It is an effective ending to the soundtrack.

Howard’s composition for The Hunger Games is one of my favourites. He makes intentional use of motifs to deepen emotional scenes and reflect the revolutionary spirit of certain moments.