Ave Satani Motifs Relation to Narrative Thematic Development of the Omen: An Analysis of Oscar-Winning Horror Film Music

Abstract

It is noteworthy to distinguish the excellence of Ave Satani’s theme song for The Omen (1976) film so that it becomes the only horror movie that ever won a nomination for "Best Original Song" over the ninety years of the Academy Awards(NIS, 2022). If we consider the song as non-diegetic that only appeared in the opening and ending credits, was it true that it did not relate to the film scenes? This study aims to analyze the musicological characteristics of the song and find its role within the film's scenes. This study uses the qualitative method with analytical approaches using musicological analysis and qualitative triangulation through interviews with three Indonesian film music experts. The results of this study are findings of Ave Satani's musical song form and the development of its main and auxiliary motives. This study concludes that, in addition to serving as the film's opening and closing credits illustrations, the song strengthens the antagonistic atmosphere between the church and the devil. However, as a theme song, Ave Satani's motives have been modified and developed into soundtrack music for essential scenes within the film. The study contributes basic knowledge for further study of the film music to clarify its theme song motives transformation into the other illustration songs of film scenes.