| 1 | %% Image kept on page per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1583150352001092000 |
| 2 | %% Please do not replace or remove without starting a new thread. |
| 3 | %% |
| 4 | [[quoteright:350:[[Webcomic/{{Housepets}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/psycho_strings.png]]]] |
| 5 | [[caption-width-right:350:[[AltText get that mouse orchestra outta here!]]]] |
| 6 | %% |
| 7 | ->''"Violins. Oh, no."'' |
| 8 | -->-- '''Satsuki Miyanoshita''', ''Anime/GhostStories'' |
| 9 | |
| 10 | [[AC:For added atmosphere, play [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TUeUL7EW9M this full "Psycho" Strings]] while reading on.]] |
| 11 | |
| 12 | A common audio cue used when you want to establish that something or someone is deeply insane, evil, or unnatural, but the OminousLatinChanting is off on vacation: a series of sharp, screeching notes on any string instrument. Sometimes this is paired with the VertigoEffect. When done on strings, like in Creator/AlfredHitchcock's ''Film/{{Psycho}}'', it is frequently used by three short, fast bow strokes below the bridge -- the wooden piece that holds the strings up -- of a cello.[[note]]Yes, they used a Cello in ''Psycho.'' For comedic effect, most will reference a violin instead.[[/note]] |
| 13 | |
| 14 | In most horror movies, if it's not strings, it's probably a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foSJstDFDfg waterphone]]. |
| 15 | |
| 16 | Usually part of a PsychoShowerMurderParody. See also ScareChord and DroneOfDread for the deeper pitched cousin. Compare OrchestralBombing and PlayingTheHeartStrings for string music that's dark in different ways. |
| 17 | |
| 18 | ---- |
| 19 | !!Examples: |
| 20 | |
| 21 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 22 | |
| 23 | [[folder:Advertising]] |
| 24 | * They are heard in one Honey Nut Cheerios commercial when Buzz the honey bee realizes the woman he's giving his product to is an entomologist. [[spoiler:Insect collector.]] |
| 25 | * They are used in at least one promo for ''Series/MyCatFromHell''. |
| 26 | * Referenced in [[http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/b9b2/?srp=1 this ad]] for bloody-handprint shower curtains and bloody-footprint bathmats on [[http://www.thinkgeek.com/ ThinkGeek]] |
| 27 | [[/folder]] |
| 28 | |
| 29 | [[folder:Anime & Manga]] |
| 30 | * Done in ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'' when Griffith is being particularly creepy to others (Charlotte and Casca) or when he is found emaciated and desecrated after his year long torture. |
| 31 | * The entire shower scene is parodied in ''Manga/SayonaraZetsubouSensei'', strings and all. It only serves to make Fuura Kafuka even creepier, too--while the stabber changes between every shot (Bruce Lee, Freddy Krueger, and the DrunkenMaster to name a few), it's ''Kafuka'' we see dashing around the corner out of the bathroom. |
| 32 | * Used in the first episode of ''{{Literature/Slayers}}'' when the Black Dragon attacks. |
| 33 | * Used alot in ''Anime/GhostStories'', with the episode 11 dub lampshading it. |
| 34 | * ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist: Brotherhood''[='=]s track "Tribute to W.C. 1", used near the end when [[spoiler:Greed attacks Father in a last-ditch attempt to stop the countrywide transmutation circle]]. |
| 35 | * Used in ''[[Literature/HaruhiSuzumiya The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya]]'' when the SOS Brigade [[spoiler:discovers their host stabbed to death on the island.]] It also makes up the majority of Asakura's theme music. |
| 36 | * ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' has the tracks "EVA-00", "THE BEAST" and "The End of Midsummer." |
| 37 | * Used in a parody of the ''Film/{{Psycho}}'' shower scene in ''Anime/DigimonFrontier'' just as Izumi is about to change into a swimsuit. Interestingly, it doesn't appear to be any more than an excuse to have her scream, alerting the rest of teh FiveManBand. |
| 38 | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=SLA9MIxX-Dw#t=596s Done with Escargoon and Dedede]] in episode 47 of ''Anime/KirbyRightBackAtYa'', in a PsychoShowerMurderParody scene. |
| 39 | * Music/YukiKajiura's composition of the ''Literature/TheGardenOfSinners'' OST [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic used this trope to great effects]], it is most prominent in the OST of Episode 5 ''Paradox Spiral''. |
| 40 | * The [[MonsterOfTheWeek Kowaina]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5Cpd7x5A2c&list=PL855003C31693AEB1 summoning theme]] from ''Anime/YesPrettyCure5'' has this on spades. |
| 41 | * Used several times in ''Manga/KaguyaSamaLoveIsWar'' with the song "Help Me", usually when Kaguya is scaring Ishigami. |
| 42 | * The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHI7nCsYSXY Aion's Ambition]] of [[Manga/ChronoCrusade Chrono Crusade Gospel II Original Soundtrack]] |
| 43 | * ''Franchise/OnePiece'': The recurring track "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A81AKe3Z51Q Duel That Defies Description]]", which debuted in ''Anime/BaronOmatsuriAndTheSecretIsland'' where it accompanied a horrifying WhamShot. In the anime, it similarly plays whenever something makes the Straw Hats freeze and stare in horror, such as more [[WhamShot Wham Shots]] or when a villain [[ForTheEvulz says something particularly psychopathic]]. |
| 44 | [[/folder]] |
| 45 | |
| 46 | [[folder:Films -- Animation]] |
| 47 | * ''WesternAnimation/FindingNemo'', when Darla arrives. |
| 48 | * During the song [[VillainSong "Be Prepared"]] from ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994'', what appears to sound like this trope is actually made of [[HeinousHyena hyenas]] giggling. |
| 49 | -->Hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee |
| 50 | * PlayedForLaughs in one scene of ''WesternAnimation/MonstersInc'' when Sulley finds out Boo had followed him to the locker room. |
| 51 | * In ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'', this is combined with a DroneOfDread and a ScareChord for the sequence where Mei discovers her mother is spying on her at school. |
| 52 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheWindInTheWillows1983'' uses waterphone screeches [[NightmareFuel to augment the horror atmosphere]] during the [[DontGoInTheWoods Wild Wood]] sequence. |
| 53 | [[/folder]] |
| 54 | |
| 55 | [[folder:Films -- Live-Action]] |
| 56 | * ''Film/{{Alien}}'' features Psycho Strings-themed music from composer Jerry Goldsmith in the third act, when Ripley, Parker and Lambert have decided to evacuate the ''Nostromo'' on the emergency shuttle. Parker and Lambert split from Ripley to obtain life support supplies for the shuttle, and [[spoiler:the alien corners them. The Strings play most prominently when the alien turns slowly toward the petrified Lambert, its head and arm silhouetted against the emergency lighting. The track is called "Parker's Death".]] |
| 57 | * Used in ''Film/AttackOfTheClones'', when [[StartOfDarkness Anakin Skywalker attacks the Sand People]] [[spoiler:who killed his mother Shmi]]. |
| 58 | * ''Bad Reputation'' uses this whenever it's leading up to Michelle making a kill on one of her tormentors. |
| 59 | * Used in ''Film/{{Bean}}'' upon the revelation that the industrial solvent that the title character used to remove an ink stain he accidentally left on Whistler's Mother is also starting to dissolve the paint underneath. |
| 60 | * Done in ''Film/BigFatLiar'' when Marty Wolf realizes that his skin and hair have been dyed blue and orange, respectively. |
| 61 | * In ''Film/BloodDripsHeavilyOnNewsiesSquare'', the famous theme plays when Ivan is butchered with a knife and the killer washes it off in the sink. |
| 62 | * The background music for ''Film/CabinFever'' features a motif that uses double beats of a creepy string note, adding a sinister undertone to a passionate sex scene. The music cue and dialogue during the scene suggest that one of the characters is passing the deadly disease to their one-time lover. This is later revealed to be true. |
| 63 | * The very same strings are used whenever ''Film/{{Carrie 1976}}'' uses her telekinetic powers. |
| 64 | * Used in ''Film/DaddyDayCare'' when Max "[[ToiletHumor misses]]". |
| 65 | * The Joker's signature theme in ''Film/TheDarkKnight'', "Why So Serious?" is built up of this. The best example is probably in the interrogation scene, where upon Joker's revelation that [[spoiler:both Dent and Rachel have been kidnapped]], the music begins, and comes to a climax where the Joker laughs manically at Batman's attempts to force details out of him. |
| 66 | * Used in ''Film/DjangoUnchained'' when John Brittle is about to whip a slave, before Django confronts him. |
| 67 | * To be heard in ''Film/DressedToKill'' right after the hooker picks up the razor blade from the elevator floor. |
| 68 | * In Creator/MelBrooks Hitchcock spoof ''Film/HighAnxiety'', the ''Psycho'' shower scene parody uses the shrill cries of an angry bellhop in place of the strings: "''Here! Here's your paper! Here's your lousy, stinking paper! Happy now?''" |
| 69 | --> '''Thorndyke:''' That kid gets no tip... |
| 70 | * Used in ''[[Film/KillBill Kill Bill Vol. I]]''. Said piece, "[[Series/AmericanHorrorStoryMurderHouse Twisted Nerve]]", is also by Music/BernardHerrmann. |
| 71 | * A similar-sounding variation of the shrieking violins plays several times in ''Film/MaximumOverdrive'' when the machines are trying to kill someone. But then, [[SoBadItsGood considering the nature of the movie]] and the fact that it's a "horror" movie [[{{Narm}} that's not scary at all]], the "Psycho" Strings come across as sort of a LargeHam. |
| 72 | * In Creator/CliveBarker's ''Film/{{Nightbreed}}'', the psychotic serial killer Dr. Decker is accompanied by a creepy string-based theme designed to unsettle the viewer during his first major knife-wielding appearance. |
| 73 | * ''Film/PlanesTrainsAndAutomobiles'' when Neal discovers what Del did to the bathroom, and that he had been washing his face in the water Del was using to soak his socks. |
| 74 | * Used famously in ([[TropeNamer duh]]) ''Film/{{Psycho}}''. Alfred Hitchcock supposedly wanted the murder scene to be totally silent, but film composer Music/BernardHerrmann had a better idea. |
| 75 | * ''Film/APureFormality'': The opening music. |
| 76 | * ''Film/SawII'': The soundtrack that plays during Amanda's struggle in the Needle Pit once she gets up features a squeaky string melody prominently, although not over its whole length. |
| 77 | * ''Film/TheShining'' uses excerpts of Pendrecki's ''Utrenja'' as well as material by Bela Bartok and Gyorgy Ligeti. |
| 78 | * ''Film/{{Spencer}}'': Diana's moments of discomfort and mental instability are accented with a sharp string score. |
| 79 | * A comical variation is used as the {{Leitmotif}} for Iggy and Spike in the ''Film/SuperMarioBros1993'' movie. |
| 80 | * ''Franchise/{{Terminator}}'': |
| 81 | ** [[Film/TheTerminator The first film]] has a squeaky violin motif [[https://youtu.be/Zzd_ekcf7a4 when the T-800 is moving in for the kill]]. |
| 82 | ** This is more along the lines of Psycho Synths, but in ''Film/Terminator2JudgmentDay'', that note they play whenever the T-1000 is bearing down relentlessly on someone and it gets faster and more intense the closer he gets. |
| 83 | * The soundtrack for ''Film/ThereWillBeBlood''. |
| 84 | * ''{{Film/Us}}'' uses a unique version in that its high musical screeches are actually the melody from Luniz's "I Got 5 on It" played higher. |
| 85 | * In ''Film/WaynesWorld'', Garth screeches "Reeee! Reeee! Reeee!" as he's "killing" Mr. Donut-Head Man. They also show up (underneath some of the band music) when his ex-girlfriend Stacy shows up at the Gasworks. |
| 86 | * Part of Magneto's {{Leitmotif}} in ''Film/XMenFirstClass''. |
| 87 | [[/folder]] |
| 88 | |
| 89 | [[folder:Live-Action TV]] |
| 90 | * ''Series/AmericanHorrorStoryMurderHouse'' uses the ''actual'' Psycho Strings as [[spoiler: Maria is stabbed in the back to death]] at the end of the flashback in 'Home Invasion'. |
| 91 | * Used in the Nickelodeon "Attack Of The Giant Vulture" short when the vulture bursts through the title card and tries to eat the girl at the beginning. |
| 92 | * Used in ''Series/BabylonFive'' when Lyta uses her abilities to perform a PsychicAssistedSuicide on a Drazi. |
| 93 | * These appear in an episode of ''Series/{{Castle|2009}}''. |
| 94 | * ''Series/DoctorWho'': |
| 95 | ** In the new series, whereas the Daleks get the [[OminousLatinChanting Ominous Hebrew Chanting]], the Cybermen get the Psycho Strings. The same sound effect was used for the Family of Blood. And in the classic series, the Daleks get the Psycho Bleeps. |
| 96 | ** Also in the revived series, the Master gets his own distinctive PsychoStrings theme, which is four loud drum beats. |
| 97 | ** As does [[spoiler: Davros]], which is actually a re-arrangement of the Midnight monster's theme. |
| 98 | ** The Weeping Angels' {{Leitmotif}} is nothing '''but''' Psycho Strings. |
| 99 | ** Craig Owens' baby son Alfie (sorry: "Stormageddon: Dark Lord of All") also gets his own dramatic chord. |
| 100 | * ''Series/FearFactor'' uses these during its three-episode Psycho special, filmed at the actual Bates Motel. |
| 101 | * ''Series/{{Friends}}'': Chandler Bing accidentally got the top of his toe cut off to the sound of Psycho Strings. When he arrives at the hospital, a carrot top was brought instead. |
| 102 | * In Season 6 of ''Series/GameOfThrones'', Cersei gets her own theme, and the cello often pops up whenever she does something particularly villainous. It first appears as part of [[KillItWithFire "Light of the Seven"]], and returns in [[AwesomeMomentOfCrowning "Hear Me]] [[GodSaveUsFromTheQueen Roar"]], [[PayEvilUntoEvil "The Long Farewell"]], and [[MistreatmentInducedBetrayal "No One Walks Away from Me"]]. |
| 103 | * Tends to appear in ''Series/{{Gotham}}'' whenever [[ComicBook/ThePenguin Oswald Cobblepot]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmYj7QglB0U gets mad]]. |
| 104 | * In the ''Film/{{Hogfather}}'' tv series, these form the leitmotif for PsychoForHire Jonathan Teatime. |
| 105 | * ''Series/InterviewWithTheVampire2022'': |
| 106 | ** "[[Recap/InterviewWithTheVampire2022S1E2AfterThePhantomsOfYourFormerSelf ...After the Phantoms of Your Former Self]]": [[https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8l3jjj?playlist=x7nyow Staccato violin notes in a minor key]] stress that Louis de Pointe du Lac has cast aside all rational thought by succumbing to both his vampiric thirst for human blood and his wrath at Mr. Carlo's patronizing YouAreACreditToYourRace treatment by exsanguinating him to death. Lestat de Lioncourt would later admonish Louis for his recklessness in murdering an alderman's assistant. |
| 107 | ** "[[Recap/InterviewWithTheVampire2022S1E6LikeAngelsPutInHellByGod Like Angels Put in Hell by God]]": [[https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8l3jdo?playlist=x7nyow A discordant violin melody in a minor key]] underscores Lestat's TranquilFury at Claudia, whom he catches on a train bound for New York, for running away from home for the second time. His stony exterior belies his turbulent temper because he coerces her to go "Back in your [[GildedCage cage]], sweetheart," or else "[[IllKillYou I'll turn your bones to dust.]]" Claudia and the audience never doubt for a second that Lestat will hack her to pieces if she doesn't obey him (especially when he has just [[OffWithHisHead lopped off the head]] of a train conductor). |
| 108 | ** [[https://www.facebook.com/ImmortalAMC/videos/1137277384390803/ In a Season 2 promo]] with close-ups of Armand, Louis, Lestat and Claudia [[FangsAreEvil baring their fangs]], the repetitive violin tune of the appropriately-titled "Comfortably Disturbed" by Mel Wesson & [=NineOneOne=] heightens the sense of danger emanating from these bloodthirsty vampires. |
| 109 | * Pick any episode of ''Series/{{Lost}}''. |
| 110 | ** The whole soundtrack, really. |
| 111 | * The ridiculously awesome extended version of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er-T5FjRc40 Lord Zedd's Theme]] from ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers''. |
| 112 | * Happens twice in one episode of ''Series/MrsBrownsBoys''. Although, as soon as it's over, she walks to the door, and yells at the violin players standing right there to '''PISS OFF!''' |
| 113 | * ''Series/MysteryDiagnosis'' often pulls this off when the subject of the current segue experiences a new and terrifying syndrome, usually one which puts them at risk of imminent death. A related 'plonk' stock sound is often played as well for emphasising the confusion some of the patients and subjects experience when witnessing symptoms, be it those of their own or someone close to them. |
| 114 | * ''Series/TheNanny'': PlayedForLaughs in one episode when Maxwell, [[HangoverSensitivity suffering from a hangover and unable to take the small noises at the breakfast table]], sees Fran come in and [[CuteButCacophonic about to speak]], the strings playing as [[ExtremeCloseUp the camera pans in on her mouth]]. |
| 115 | -->'''Maxwell:''' [[BigNo NOOO!]] |
| 116 | * [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] in an episode of ''Series/ParkerLewisCantLose'': A man in a trenchcoat looks at a journal saying "The Chameleon escapes!", then orders a string quartet (which wasn't there before) to play a chilly music. |
| 117 | * In ''Series/PeeWeesPlayhouse'': "I'm going door to door, to make you this incredible offer..." (AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH! Ha ha!) |
| 118 | * ''Series/That70sShow'': It happens in "Water Tower", after Eric tells Laurie [[PrimalScene he witnessed their parents having sex]]. |
| 119 | * ''Series/TheXFiles'' uses a rather ominous violin-string plucking number in scary scenes -- usually when the Monster of the Week is stalking (and then killing) its victims. |
| 120 | [[/folder]] |
| 121 | |
| 122 | [[folder:Music]] |
| 123 | * Parts of "The Devil Went Down to Georgia". |
| 124 | * The opening of Krzystof Penderecki's ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfBVYhyXU8o Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima]]'' (written in 1960) may be an inspiration: all fifty-two string players are instructed to play "the highest note on the instrument" as loudly as possible, producing a very harsh and grating high-pitched tone cluster which sounds a bit like a scream. (Its relation to the subject matter is actually purely incidental; Penderecki originally intended to call the piece simply ''8'37"'', but figured a memorial to the victims of American nuclear bombs would be more likely to be accepted by the government of Poland as more in line with their Social Realist artistic policies.) |
| 125 | ** Serial music in general can sound really weird. Anton Webern's ''Fünf Sätze'' could easily be included in a survival horror soundtrack. |
| 126 | ** György Ligeti's music, which is also serial in nature, utilizes a similar method in his ''Atmospheres'', where the string players play every chromatic note ''over five octaves'' at once. That's ''60 notes''. This is the largest tone cluster ever written in a serious piece. Then things get weird when the string players start using microtones. |
| 127 | ** There's also George Crumb, and his famous piece, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV6BeeoX474 Black Angels]], the introductort section of which, which is titled "Night of the Electric Insects," literally makes you feel like there are bugs crawling all over your skin. It was used very effectively in soundtrack of ''Film/TheExorcist''. |
| 128 | ** Music/IgorStravinsky's ''Theatre/TheRiteOfSpring'' has these in some movements as well. |
| 129 | * "Gimme Some More" by Music/BustaRhymes offers a variation to the trope; although it prominently uses Psycho Strings, it more specifically samples the opening theme strings rather than those from the shower scene. |
| 130 | * Sonata Arctica use this at one point in "Juliet". |
| 131 | * Avant-garde metal band Unexpect use Psycho Strings a lot, but most notably on "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLP7hQkCIyU Silence 011010701]]". |
| 132 | * In [[WebAnimation/{{Hololive}} Gawr Gura's]] track "REFLECT", some very faint tense strings can be heard underlining Gura chanting "tsurai, tsurai, tsurai, tsurai". |
| 133 | * "O Green World" by {{Music/Gorillaz}} opens with a sort of deranged banjo-plucking solo. The entire song may be a deliberate ShoutOut to Creator/AlfredHitchcock, as you also hear [[Film/TheBirds crows screeching]] throughout the instrumental portions of the track. |
| 134 | * "Opheliac" - the album, not the song - by Music/EmilieAutumn is full of creepy notes on electric violin. |
| 135 | * The Soviet composer Music/DmitriShostakovich was fond of using these for political commentary. For instance, the [[ExecutiveMeddling Party-mandated]] Fifth Symphony's grandiose, triumphant finale is rather undermined by the string section sawing away in the background, rendering the whole thing rather hollow, creepy, and artificial. [[StealthParody Not that anybody important noticed.]] |
| 136 | * Music/{{Kraftwerk}}'s "Mitternacht" from the flip side of ''Music/{{Autobahn}}'' uses electronically distorted violin to terrifying effect. |
| 137 | * The intro track to Music/{{Sepultura}}'s ''Schizophrenia'' album features this. |
| 138 | * In Music/JohannSebastianBach's {{cantata}} ''Christ lag in Todesbanden'' (BWV 4) the 3rd movement contains a series of 11 very sharp chords played on a solo violin. |
| 139 | * Appears in Music/BillyJoel's "We Didn't Start The Fire" when Billy sings "Psycho". |
| 140 | * Music/KnifeParty's "Internet Friends" breaks into these immediately after ''that'' line. Never block a {{Yandere}} on Website/{{Facebook}}. |
| 141 | * "Delilah" by Music/TomJones opens with sharp repeating strings that evoke this. A fitting choice for a song about a man driven to murder his cheating lover. |
| 142 | * Distressed violin notes are part Music/StreamOfPassion's SignatureStyle. For instance, the passage that opens "Monster" creates a feeling of anxiety. |
| 143 | * Naturally, "Slasher" by Music/{{Aviators}} features pairs of stings as a recurring motif. |
| 144 | * Music/{{Aerosmith}}'s "[[Music/{{Pump}} Janie's Got a Gun]]", a song about a girl putting an end to her sexually-abusive father, features sharp violin riffs in each chorus. |
| 145 | * Used fittingly enough in the bridge of ''Music/IceNineKills''' ''Film/{{Psycho}}''-inspired song "The Shower Scene". |
| 146 | * Music/{{Coolio}}'s "Gangstas Paradise" sets the stabbing on-beat strings over a hip-hop beat. |
| 147 | [[/folder]] |
| 148 | |
| 149 | [[folder:Pinball]] |
| 150 | * In ''Pinball/WhoDunnit1995'', a case involving the murder of a female character will sometimes begin with a [[DeadlyBath shower murder scene]] that's accompanied by a direct replica of ''Psycho'''s string music. |
| 151 | [[/folder]] |
| 152 | |
| 153 | [[folder:Puppet Shows]] |
| 154 | * ''Series/{{Tweenies}}'': Heard in "Dirty Hands" when Fizz finds her cushion covered in Milo's dirty handprints. Cue ScreamingWoman. |
| 155 | [[/folder]] |
| 156 | |
| 157 | [[folder:Pro Wrestling]] |
| 158 | * Not surprisingly, this was included in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP0jtQxbEpM Sycho Sid's entrance music]]. |
| 159 | [[/folder]] |
| 160 | |
| 161 | [[folder:Tabletop Games]] |
| 162 | * ''TabletopGame/TheyCameFromBeyondTheGrave'', a game ''deeply'' immersed in the tropes of its chosen horror subgenre, goes so far as to make the quote for the "[[SerialKiller Slasher]]" monster just a reference to "high-pitched violin screeching". |
| 163 | [[/folder]] |
| 164 | |
| 165 | [[folder:Theatre]] |
| 166 | * Used in many songs in ''Theatre/SweeneyToddTheDemonBarberOfFleetStreet'', "Epiphany" in particular. |
| 167 | * The Creator/ReducedShakespeareCompany uses PsychoStrings as the music cue for Hamlet stabbing Polonius. |
| 168 | * Richard Strauss's opera ''Theatre/{{Salome}}'' uses an effect of this sort as Salome is listening for Jokanaan's death cry. The short sharp sound, made by double basses playing far higher than their usual range, is meant, according to the composer's footnote, to "resemble the stifled moans and groans of a woman." |
| 169 | * Hinted at in the song "Oh The Thinks You Can Think," played in recent productions of ''[[Theatre/{{Seussical}} Seussical The Musical]]'', in which the audience is invited to "Think of something horrible and hairy, something sinister and scary that you've never dared to think of before!" Cue PsychoStrings (big solo for second keyboardist). |
| 170 | * In ''Theatre/{{Heathers}}'', high-pitched violins and electric guitar are often played in the background of J.D.'s songs and dialogue, specifically in his "that school was society" rant towards the end. |
| 171 | [[/folder]] |
| 172 | |
| 173 | [[folder:Theme Parks]] |
| 174 | * At Ride/UniversalStudios: |
| 175 | ** In ''Theatre/SpecialEffectsShow'', when the hosts pretend to drive a knife through one of the volunteers' arm, music from Psycho is played. |
| 176 | ** Can faintly be heard in ''WesternAnimation/ShrekFourD'' when a spider comes down in front of Donkey, likely in reference to the Creator/AlfredHitchcock attraction it replaced. |
| 177 | [[/folder]] |
| 178 | |
| 179 | [[folder:Video Games]] |
| 180 | * Aside from the {{scare chord}}s that accompany some [[Franchise/{{Alien}} xenomorph]] encounters, ''VideoGame/AliensVsPredator'' uses Psycho Strings in parts of its rarely-played soundtrack. |
| 181 | * ''Franchise/AssassinsCreed'': |
| 182 | ** ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedBrotherhood'' score takes this trope [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnBUK9fO3vc to extremes]]. |
| 183 | ** ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedRevelations'' also [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frgZ6lH7bLI has its own variation of this trope]]. |
| 184 | * The ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie'' games [[VariableMix remix the music depending on where you are in a level]]. When you're, say, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ41CdgMANo very, very deep underwater]], strings of this ilk kick in, to sometimes unsettling effect. |
| 185 | * Used liberally in ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamAsylum'', especially during the Scarecrow encounter. It's even played for laughs once. In the beginning, as the Joker is wheeled through Arkham, a doctor looks over the Joker. The Joker suddenly goes "BOO" accompanied by a scare chord, and scares the poor doctor shitless as he starts laughing. Quite funny the first time it happens. |
| 186 | * A lot of ''VideoGame/BioShock1'''s music uses violins to represent madness, such as in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-GzXp-Fzv4 Doctor Steinman's battle theme]]. |
| 187 | * In ''VideoGame/BioShockInfinite'', violins play whenever Booker manages to pull off a Melee Finisher. In addition, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDhPvrYY0kY the Songbird's Theme]] incorporates a lot of very sudden strings. |
| 188 | * ''VideoGame/{{Celeste}}'' has a terrifying electronic strings piece appropriately titled "[[https://youtu.be/FMuQ11tVJnk Anxiety]]" when Madeline and Theo get [[StuckOnASkiLift stuck on a cable car]]. The beginning and end of "[[https://youtu.be/bXfHKEaDg4s In the Mirror]]" use similarly shrill synth strings. |
| 189 | * ''VideoGame/ClockTower: The First Fear'' has it in some of the times Jennifer goes into panic mode or discovers something, examples including when strangled by her reflection in the mirror, when seeing blood come out of the sink, [[spoiler: when finding Laura's body, either in her shower or armor deaths]], seeing the zombie in the closet, and so on. |
| 190 | * The SNES/Genesis adaptation of ''TabletopGame/{{Clue}}'' uses this as the motif for the knife. |
| 191 | * The track "A Deadly Monster or...?" from ''VisualNovel/CodeRealize'' features them. |
| 192 | * If Laura Bow has a shower in ''The Colonel's Bequest'', [[ShoutOut and she gets killed for it.]] |
| 193 | ** Also occurs in the second game, ''The Dagger of Amon Ra'', whenever she finds the corpse of a murder victim. |
| 194 | ** The second game also has it as the first thing you hear while Laura is chased by the killer. |
| 195 | * In ''VideoGame/ConkersBadFurDay'' the music for "Frying Tonight" sounds like a track mostly composed of this. |
| 196 | * In ''VideoGame/DawnOfWar'' and its expansion packs have strings build up as an Aspiring Champion, Chaos Lord, or Chaos Sorcerer [[PowerFloats floats up into the air]] as Chaos [[SwirlingDust energies swirl around them]] before slamming back onto the ground as a Bloodthirster of Khone appears in realspace. |
| 197 | * "Purge the Xenos Scum" from the ''[[VideoGame/DawnOfWar Dawn of War 2]]'' soundtrack (usually played during defensive missions when you have to hold the line against waves of enemies). |
| 198 | * In ''VideoGame/DeadlyPremonition'', Psycho Strings are widely used. |
| 199 | * ''Franchise/{{Doom}}'' series: |
| 200 | ** ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'': |
| 201 | *** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gcv0l8JtKo "In The Grip of Madness"]] from the Playstation and Saturn ports of the game, scored by Aubrey Hodges, is composed entirely of bowed metal or waterphone-like screeching sounds. |
| 202 | *** Another track from the PSX/Saturn adaptation, [[https://youtu.be/2fhuFUUrfZA "Mind Massacre"]], utilizes a manipulated field recording of [[BizarreInstrument a bee buzzing in a soda can]] for this effect, along with DroneOfDread. |
| 203 | ** ''VideoGame/DoomII'' has the title screen's music, contrasting the upbeat rock music heard in the first game's title screen. |
| 204 | * You can hear it sometimes in the ambient background music while in the [[DreamLand Fade]] in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins''. |
| 205 | * Used throughout ''VideoGame/{{Drakengard}}'' to great effect. The composer favored repeated PsychoStrings to set the mood in some cutscenes and even in normal gameplay, to the point of making combat feel like you're on the monster's side of a fantasy slasher flick. |
| 206 | * The music played in X-8 in ''VideoGame/{{Eversion}}'' is basically just this, with the occasional drum sound in the background. |
| 207 | ** Also, it ends with a LastNoteNightmare. |
| 208 | * Used often in the ''VideoGame/FirstEncounterAssaultRecon'' games whenever Alma appears, along with other scare events. At least one soundtrack piece uses a waterphone. |
| 209 | * The opening of "One Winged Angel" from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'', as well as Exdeath's theme from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV''. |
| 210 | * In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'', you have [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi0Ahmo6RG0 "Unworthy"]], the theme that plays during the last section of the "Steps of Faith" trial. This theme carries with it an unholy sense of urgency, as Vishap, a gargantuan dragon, is reaching the gates of Ishgard, with the organ, violins (via [[PsychoStrings screeching notes]]), percussions and an eerie woman wail all coming together to make the player realize that if they don't stop the dragon fast, it is game over. You will never hear it in-game nowadays, as the trial has been nerfed to oblivion, making it impossible to hear this theme anymore. |
| 211 | * ''VideoGame/FridayNightFunkin'' features these as a recurring riff in the song 'Spookeez', fitting with the Halloween aesthetic of the week. |
| 212 | * In ''VideoGame/GrandiaII'', the establishing music for Selene is a flute melody which degenerates into dissonant violins. It can be heard during the second part of "The Broken Seal" theme (OST). |
| 213 | * ''VideoGame/GrimFandango'': Used a few times, including when Chepito reveals the Demons of the Deep. |
| 214 | * ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'': |
| 215 | ** This is often used during Flood encounters, eg in the songs [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpOVKbM7vlA&feature=related "Devils... Monsters"]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llC8DOBE9vk "Shadows"]] (sounds much like the actual ''Film/{{Psycho}}'' strings), [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDUnp0I5YJU "Lament for Pvt. Jenkins"]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBbi272U0oU "Ancient Machine"]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChGa8k1YfOI "Dread Intrusion"]], and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1hAUE9o-MM "Gravemind"]]. |
| 216 | ** ''VideoGame/HaloReach'' uses this in the first encounter with Zealots; specifically the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hCAK8OfQGE "Bait and Switch"]] movement of the "Winter Contingency" OST track. |
| 217 | * ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCbqDPQqzCY Heroes of Might and Magic III]]''. |
| 218 | * In ''VideoGame/HollowKnight'', the Deepnest [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V9Uep3k1lo ambience]] mainly consists of atonal violin squeaks. The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9HXwipaOJE Forgotten Crossroads/Deepnest]] BattleThemeMusic also uses this. |
| 219 | * The ''VideoGame/InTheGroove'' song "Determinator". |
| 220 | * Surprisingly, this shows up in ''VisualNovel/KatawaShoujo''. The piece is called "High Tension", and the first time you hear it, it is seriously unnerving. [[MoodWhiplash It comes right the hell out of nowhere and it's not he sort of thing you've expect out of a game like Katawa Shoujo.]] |
| 221 | * Although not in the game, [[VideoGame/LeagueofLegends League of Legends']] has one in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRtMuf2hAto one YouTube ad, when the guy with the "Download Now!" booth bursts into the the gamer's living room.]] |
| 222 | * All the [[{{Leitmotif}} bacteria]] in ''VideoGame/Left4Dead''. Can be heard [[http://left4dead.wikia.com/wiki/Left_4_Dead_(Soundtrack)#Bacteria here]]. Also, the main and horde themes for "Swamp Fever" campaign from the sequel. |
| 223 | * ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'': |
| 224 | ** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'': The Cave and DarkWorld Dungeon themes use this to emphasize their thematic danger and (in the latter's associated areas) foreboding atmosphere. |
| 225 | ** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'': The game is [[DarkerAndEdgier fittingly]] fond of these, being used in many tracks, notably in all of the [[EldritchAbomination main villain's]] themes, and the title opening (which has a LastNoteNightmare). |
| 226 | ** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks'': |
| 227 | *** The music that plays when you meet the Dark/Armored Trains, to great effect. |
| 228 | *** [[TheDragon Chancellor Cole's]] {{Leitmotif}}, which fits his deranged personality and malice. |
| 229 | *** The BattleThemeMusic for Rocktite incorporates this via VariableMix, as it transitions into Psycho Strings as the monster gradually approaches the Spirit Train. |
| 230 | ** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'': The "Guardians Awaken" theme, which is heard when Link accidentally draws the Guardians' attention while collecting Sacred Tears in the Silent Realm. |
| 231 | * ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'' uses this is in part of the ''Overlord'' DLC's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rfd88fOmqM boss music]]. It conveys an appropriate [[OhCrap sense of panic]] for the circumstances. |
| 232 | -->'''Base Intercom''': [[spoiler:[[AIIsACrapshoot Node acquired]]: Normandy SR-2 is within range. [[ApocalypseHow Attempting to establish upload link]].]] |
| 233 | * The "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xm0bzPPYM0 Sniper's Last Stand]]" theme from ''VideoGame/MedalOfHonor: Allied Assault''. |
| 234 | * According to Hideo Kojima himself, ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2SonsOfLiberty'' was supposed to feature this at one point, with the source of the Psycho Strings actually [[NightmareRetardant just being a soldier playing the violin]]. The animation for this proved too troublesome for the time, so the idea was scrapped. |
| 235 | * The Nightmare in ''VideoGame/MetroidOtherM'' gets these in its [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBbRdWUIZHg battle theme]]. |
| 236 | ** The Omega Metroid battle theme from ''VideoGame/MetroidSamusReturns'' also has these. |
| 237 | ** In ''VideoGame/MetroidPrimeHunters'', Sylux's battle theme consists of high-pitched strings which actually use the "psycho note pattern" in some parts. |
| 238 | * In ''VideoGame/{{Miitopia}}'', these will play if a Mii sees their friend give another Mii a gift at the inn, or vice-versa if they see another Mii give their friend a gift. The same music will also play if a Mii that becomes a rumor subject or has another Mii do an impression of them overhears it. |
| 239 | * ''VideoGame/PaperMarioColorSplash'': Psycho Strings are featured in the track "Straw of Doom". |
| 240 | * ''VideoGame/Payday2'': These play when you prepare a charged attack with the "Psycho Knife" melee weapon. |
| 241 | * ''VideoGame/Pikmin2'': The theme for the battle against [[spoiler: Titan Dweevil]] is full of this. In fact, the more parts you take off of him, the more intense the PsychoStrings get! Every single song (about to attack, [insert element here] attack, and so on) during this battle has these at some point. |
| 242 | * ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'': |
| 243 | ** In ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'', Gothitelle uses it as its BattleCry. |
| 244 | ** [[TheDragon Dusknoir's]] battle theme from ''VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeonExplorers of Time/Darkness/Sky''. |
| 245 | ** As well as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9YyCVVSNbs Shadow Lugia's Battle Theme]] in ''VideoGame/PokemonXDGaleOfDarkness''. |
| 246 | * Used in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHBHltNIDss Molecular Clock]] from ''VideoGame/RayStorm'', alongside {{theremin}}, doubling the creepy factor. |
| 247 | * Used throughout the ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'' series, such as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGSA9-nKYaE&feature=related Tyrant's theme]] in the original, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhi0KfO4Aig the Bandersnatch theme]] in ''[[VideoGame/ResidentEvilCodeVeronica Code Veronica]]'', [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F89LW0dfUjc the Leech Zombie theme]] in ''0'', and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFQT2_yOFX4 the Neptune shark danger music]] in ''[=RE1=] Remake''. The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOTgc2neIH8 Noche ]](night battle) music and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XeBKPYFWCI Mendez's battle theme]] in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil4'' overlap this with DroneOfDread. |
| 248 | * Used in various forms in the ''Franchise/SilentHill'' series. Sometimes it sounds like the aforementioned Psycho Waterphone. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Agq8F6uJXD4&feature=PlayList&p=6DC89B6549805D51&index=40 For example, in this clip.]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdOV-NsdW2M One piece in the first game]] sounds like bowed piano strings, and a variation is pitched an octave down, making it [[NightmareFuel much scarier]]. Also used [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuPh-pMnH6w when Pyramid Head kills Maria]] in the hospital basement. And the first game's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PXEgoqZ9mk alley sequence]] uses psycho industrial percussion. |
| 249 | * Dark ominous strings in ''VideoGame/SlenderTheArrival'' (coupled with unhuman growling) is a sign that [[BrainwashedAndCrazy The Chaser]] is lurking and will hunt you down. Once the fast, 'psycho' strings kick in, ''she has found you''. [[FromBadToWorse And now you have to deal with her as well as]] [[Franchise/TheSlenderManMythos the tall man himself]]. |
| 250 | * The drowning music used throughout the ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' series. |
| 251 | * ''Franchise/{{Splatoon}}'' has every music track in each game's [[MultiMookMelee Salmon Run]] mode filled to the brim with discordant cello strings, which considering how the harder difficulties can leave you as the last one standing in a veritable sea of enemies raining down explosives and all focused on chasing down and destroying ''you and only you'' while your teammates desperately cry for help? Yeah, definitely justifies the tones of underlying horror. |
| 252 | * Disturbing Psycho Strings are heard when nearing Horror Spectacles in ''VideoGame/SunlessSkies'', accompanied by a blood red, pulsating tint on the corners of the screen. As if most of these Spectacles ([[GiantCorpseWorld Faith's Fall and the Grave of the Silent Saint]] particularly come to mind) weren't gruesome enough... |
| 253 | * ''VideoGame/{{Terraria}}'': The surface Corruption's theme uses these towards the end of the track, while the underground Corruption music has them at the beginning. The latter also has string sounds halfway through, but the tune is more melodic than psycho. |
| 254 | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uf6GfZNDhV8 "Death Marshes"]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-4ooTy8FYE "Hive of the Mantids"]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrjLkGGGGZo&p=D74247FC704AD924&playnext=1&index=17 "Oblivion"]] from ''VideoGame/{{Turok}} 2''. "Death Marshes" also uses "psycho trumpets". |
| 255 | * ''VideoGame/WarhammerOnline'''s music for Chaos-controlled areas uses these [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhl5UeTsvF4 to full effect]]. To help things sound even ''more'' discordant and unnatural, the musicians played their instruments upside-down. |
| 256 | [[/folder]] |
| 257 | |
| 258 | [[folder:Webcomics]] |
| 259 | * In ''Webcomic/{{Housepets}}'', King invokes this [[http://www.housepetscomic.com/comic/2020/02/12/sleep-tight/ when he finds himself in a]] PsychoShowerMurderParody situation with Sasha. |
| 260 | -->'''King:''' [[LampshadeHanging Do I hear violin stings]]?[[note]]It’s “stings” in the original, not “strings”[[/note]] |
| 261 | * The shower scene gets parodied in [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0608.html this]] ''[[Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick Order of the Stick]]'' strip, with the Psycho Strings represented as sound effects. |
| 262 | [[/folder]] |
| 263 | |
| 264 | [[folder:Western Animation]] |
| 265 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Arcane}}'': Those affected by [[PsychoSerum Shimmer]] usually have their grunts and yells underscored by a set of these, emphasizing the dehumanizing and unsettling effects the serum. |
| 266 | %%* ''WesternAnimation/{{Arthur}}'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Fantomcat}}'' both have these in their score sometimes.%%ZCE |
| 267 | * In ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'', several of the scenes in the series finale, featuring [[spoiler:Azula's VillainousBreakdown]], are accompanied by these. |
| 268 | * The ''WesternAnimation/CartoonsThatNeverMadeIt'' short "Frothy Dawg" features psycho strings playing when Frothy turns around to reveal his foaming mouth and frightens the father and son who were looking at him through the pet shop window. |
| 269 | * Parodied in one episode of ''WesternAnimation/DaveTheBarbarian''. While doing spring cleaning with his enchanted broom Dusty, Dave sticks his head in the fire place and screams as piercing strings are heard, followed by him wrestling his head out and crashing into the wall. |
| 270 | -->'''Dusty:''' Let me guess, [[LeftTheBackgroundMusicOn a string quartet?]]\ |
| 271 | '''Dave:''' ''[[[DreadfulMusician As piercing string music plays]]]'' And they aren't very good! |
| 272 | * In one episode of ''WesternAnimation/DextersLaboratory'', the scene of trope was parodied with the Mom "murdering" the Dad while has was showering, minus the murder. |
| 273 | * ''WesternAnimation/FostersHomeForImaginaryFriends'' has a parodied take of this trope where Cheese opens up the shower curtain with Eduardo inside and... |
| 274 | -->'''Cheese:''' [[PunctuatedForEmphasis I! FOUND! A! CARROT!]] ''[Cheese proceeds to use the carrot like a knife, to no effect]'' |
| 275 | * ''WesternAnimation/GarfieldAndFriends'': These are used in the episode "Monday Misery", in which Garfield learns, to his dismay, that [[HatingOnMonday it's Monday, the day of the week that he hates most]]. These notes are used to trigger a parody of a horror movie trailer: |
| 276 | -->'''Announcer:''' From the people that brought YOU the terror of Wednesday and the horror of Friday...\ |
| 277 | '''Woman in trailer:''' ''[seeing kids get off a school bus]'' The kids will be home all weekend! AAAAAAGH!!\ |
| 278 | '''Announcer:''' ...comes the most horrifying, terrifying day ever, the day invented just to make the rest of the week seem good... MONDAY! |
| 279 | * ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'': |
| 280 | ** {{Invoked|Trope}} by Mabel when wielding the ax to Stan in "[[Recap/GravityFallsS1E3Headhunters Headhunters]]". ("Wree! Wree! Wree!") |
| 281 | ** Actual "Psycho" Strings appear in "[[Recap/GravityFallsS1E14BottomlessPit Bottomless Pit!]]", accompanying Old Man [=McGucket's=] "'''[[SuddenlyShouting HORRIFYIN' VOICE!]]'''". |
| 282 | * Heard twice in ''WesternAnimation/InvaderZim'', once when an old lady throws up sawdust on GIR in "Door to Door", and again during one of Dib's crazy fits in "Halloween Spectacular of Spooky Doom". |
| 283 | * ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'' does it twice, once with Bonnie taking a shower as a homage to ''Film/{{Psycho}}'''s famous scene, and again when music from the film plays after Ron falls off his bike and water comes from his head. |
| 284 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'' does these for [[spoiler:Eska's WomanScorned moment]]. Then it's used whenever she unexpectedly enters Bolin's sight. |
| 285 | * ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyTales'': These are used in "Out of Luck" when Clover returns home and spots the teapot she believes is making her unlucky. They resurface later when the teapot is returned to the house again. |
| 286 | * ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': Heard in the episode "May the Best Pet Win" when Opal bares her claws at the beginning of the Guts test. |
| 287 | %%* Heard occasionally in ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb''.%%ZCE |
| 288 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheRenAndStimpyShow'': |
| 289 | ** In the episode "Stimpy's Fan Club", we see an insane Ren contemplate strangling a sleeping Stimpy. It's after he says the line "Just... one... ''twist''!" when the Psycho Strings start to come into play. |
| 290 | ** Also used in the episode "Haunted House" when Stimpy's taking a shower, in homage to ''Film/{{Psycho}}''. |
| 291 | * ''WesternAnimation/ScaredShrekless'': Donkey actually sings the Psycho Strings notes from ''Psycho'' when he narrates Puss in Boots being ambushed in the shower. |
| 292 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': |
| 293 | ** Hilariously done in the episode "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS8E10TheSpringfieldFiles The Springfield Files]]", when Homer hears the strings from Psycho while lost in the woods... [[spoiler:but it turns out to be an orchestra driving by on a bus.]] |
| 294 | ** Used in "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS2E9ItchyAndScratchyAndMarge Itchy & Scratchy & Marge]]" of season two whenever Maggie attacks Homer with a mallet. Also combined with a PsychoShowerMurderParody. |
| 295 | ** Used in "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS21E22TheBobNextDoor The Bob Next Door]]" when Homer, Lisa, and Walt enter a room and find hundreds of pictures of Bart that have knives stabbed into them. |
| 296 | ** Seen in "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS7E17HomerTheSmithers Homer The Smithers]]", [[OhCrap when Homer sees he punched Mr. Burns unconscious in a fit of rage]]. |
| 297 | * In the episode of ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' where Damien, the Antichrist and Son of Satan, arrives at South Park Elementary, and ultimately wants to fit in and be just another kid, his entrance is always presaged by an ominous choir singing a Latin phrase ending in ''Domine'' - "Lord". |
| 298 | * ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'': |
| 299 | ** Used in the episode "Bummer Vacation" in which [=SpongeBob=]'s sitting in Patrick's house after being forced by Mr. Krabs to take a vacation and hiring Patrick as his temporary replacement. When Patrick finds him, [=SpongeBob=] looks (and acts) completely insane, complete with Psycho Strings. |
| 300 | ** Used in the episode "Squeaky Boots" when Mr. Krabs goes insane with guilt after stealing rubber boots he gave to [=SpongeBob=]. |
| 301 | *** In case you were wondering which song it is, it's [[https://youtube.com/watch?v=ePZtb51yR84 ''Killer Birds'']]. Thirty seconds of almost nothing ''but'' this trope and the orchestral chord at the end. Indeed, whenever it plays, you can expect moments of insanity from a given character. |
| 302 | * In ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsCloneWars'', [[HeroKiller General Grievous']] [[NightmareFuel nightmarish]] [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown assault]] on the beleaguered Jedi is set to a mix of trumpets and PsychoStrings, proving that that possessing mastery of the force will still mean [[SquishyWizard nothing]] in the face of shock-and-awe tactics and superior swordsmanship. And that Jedi are still ''very much'' capable of feeling absolute terror. |
| 303 | * In ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'' the main instrument in Ventress' {{leitmotif}} is a sinister sounding violin, emphasizing how dangerous and unpredictable she is. |
| 304 | * Combined with a DroneOfDread in the ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'' episode "Ghost Train". |
| 305 | [[/folder]] |
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