The film draws upon the tragic events of 30th December 2000, when the Catalan Pyrenees were struck by the most severe storm ever recorded in the region. The extraordinary weather conditions proved fatal, claiming the lives of nine hikers from Barcelona. These circumstances, unmatched in their ferocity and convergence, have not been repeated since.
Composer Arnau Bataller’s score for the film is both beautiful and deeply evocative. The music is characterised by rich, thematic melodies and emotive, poignant interludes that heighten the story’s emotional impact.
Throughout the score, there remains an underlying sense of dread and apprehension, reflecting the peril and tension experienced during the storm. Available now on digital platforms, it is a score I highly recommend.
“Dongji Rescue” is a 2025 Chinese historical war action film directed by Guan Hu and Fei Zhenxiang, featuring stars such as Zhu Yilong, Wu Lei, and Ni Ni. The film is based on the true story of the Lisbon Maru incident during World War II and depicts the bravery of Chinese fishermen who risked their lives to rescue more than three British prisoners of war after a Japanese transport ship sank off the coast of Zhoushan, in Zhejiang province, eastern China, in 1942.
Released in China on August 8th, 2025, the film portrays the desperate situation of British prisoners trapped in a sinking cabin by the Japanese army. In their hour of need, a group of fishermen from Dongji Island came to their aid, illustrating the themes of daring and solidarity amidst the horrors of war.
The music for this inspiring tale of courage is composed by Atli Örvarsson. He has crafted a highly expressive and thematic score that beautifully enhances the film’s narrative.
Each track features haunting and evocative music, providing a subdued yet emotionally powerful accompaniment to the visuals on screen. The score remains mainly symphonic throughout, supported and enhanced in places by electronic components, with a handful of songs that are affecting and poignant.
The quality of the score is reflected in the way it evokes a sense of awe, the use of choir, woodwind, strings and percussion laced by brass sending shivers down the spine, whether these are action inspired or a more melodic both are affecting and entertaining. Such rich and inspiring compositions make it a worthy addition to any music collection. Highly recommended and available on digital platforms, it is well worth seeking out.
The summer holidays have finally arrived, and Justus Jonas (Julius Weckauf), Peter Shaw (Nevio Wendt), and Bob Andrews (Levi Brandl) are eagerly preparing for a road trip. However, their plans are abruptly interrupted when a mysterious phone call reaches their headquarters. An unknown caller presents the detective trio with a new case, causing their holiday aspirations to be quickly set aside as they dive into their latest investigation.
Following the clues, the three boys uncover the existence of the enigmatic secret society known as Sphinx. This group is led by the mysterious archaeology professor Phoenix (Andreas Pietschmann) and his assistant Olin (Jannik Schümann). Sphinx is involved in illegal excavations and deals in stolen art treasures, making them a dangerous adversary for the young detectives.
The adventure escalates as the trio embarks on an expedition to Makatao, an active volcanic island also referred to as the Isle of the Dead. Legends claim that the ancient burial site on Makatao is cursed, warning that no one who enters ever returns alive. The boys are left to wonder why Sphinx would risk such a perilous journey, and they must also unravel the connection between the expedition and the successful entrepreneur Joseph Saito Hadden (Simon Kluth).
This new film, like its predecessor “The Three ??? and the Carpathian Dog”, reimagines classic episodes from the beloved books and radio plays, presenting them in a fresh, contemporary style. “The Three ??? – Isle of the Dead” stands out as one of the most recognised and celebrated adventures in the series, brought to life for a new generation of fans.
The leading roles feature Julius Weckauf (“The Boy Needs Fresh Air“) as Justus Jonas, the head of the famed detective trio, with Nevio Wendt (“Rocca Changes the World”) as Peter Shaw and Levi Brandl as Bob Andrews. Returning to support the trio are Jördis Triebel (“Dark”, “Babylon Berlin”) as Aunt Mathilda, Florian Lukas (“Goodbye, Lenin!”, “Absolute Giants”) as Uncle Titus, and Filip Schnack (“Looking into the Sun”) as Skinny Norris. New additions to the cast include Andreas Pietschmann (“Dark”, “1899”) as Professor Phoenix and Jannik Schümann (“Die Mitte der Welt”, “Disko 76”) as Olin, alongside Momo Beier (“Old White Man”)as Jelena, who assists the boys in their investigations.
Directed by Tim Dünschede and written by Anil Kizilbuga, “The Three ??? – Isle of the Dead” features dramatic consultation from long-time series author André Marx, who also penned the novel upon which the film is based. The music is composed by David Reichelt, known for works like “La Palma” and “Paradise.” He has created an awe-inspiring and inventive score that enhances the trio’s adventure.
The opening theme presents a grand and upbeat thematic experience, featuring a combination of choir, brass, strings, and percussion, complemented by synthetic elements. The rest of the score follows a similar path, with bold and robust themes interspersed with vibrant and infectious interludes that not only entertain but also support the film’s narrative. This adventurous score is grand and thunderous, unleashing dark, foreboding, and action-packed compositions, but at the same time conveying a sound that is linked with the mystical and the otherworldly. It offers a thrilling rollercoaster of sounds and styles that I am sure you will love. Highly recommended and now available on digital platforms.
The series “Morbo K” aired on Rai 1 in Italy on January 27th and 28th, with the first episode coinciding with Holocaust Remembrance Day. The series explores a particularly courageous and significant chapter in Italian history during World War II. Produced by Rai Fiction and Fabula Fiction, it is directed by Francesco Patierno and centres around Dr Giovanni Borromeo, the head physician at the Roman Fatebenefratelli Hospital. In the series, his name is changed to Professor Prati, portrayed by Vincenzo Ferrara.
The haunting musical score is composed by Stefano Lentini and features many beautiful and impactful melodies. The composer effectively utilises solo piano and solo violin to create heartrending tone poems that are both captivating and emotional. This score is worth listening to, not only for its lilting melodic content but also for its moments of apprehension and drama, which are conveyed largely through similar orchestration and instrumentation. The sound, at times sparse and simple, complements the narrative and enhances the on-screen action without overwhelming it. The score is now available on digital platforms, so be sure to give it a listen.
COLPA DEI SENSI.
Another Italian-produced TV series is Colpa Dei Sensi, in which Davide (Gabriel Garko) returns to his hometown, disrupting what appears to be a stable environment. He comes back to support his dying father (Ricky Tognazzi), who was accused years earlier of uxoricide, a crime Davide has never fully accepted. His return brings him face to face with his emotional past: Laura (Anna Safroncik), his first great love, is now married to Enrico (Tommaso Basili), his former best friend and heir to one of the city’s wealthiest families. This encounter reopens old wounds and reignites feelings that have long been buried.
An overwhelming passion reignites between Davide and Laura, capable of shattering existing bonds and threatening her marriage. Although Laura attempts to resist and protect her life with Enrico, the passion between her and Davide is too powerful to contain. Simultaneously, doubts about whether Davide’s father is truly guilty of the crime spur him to investigate both the past and present in search of hidden truths. Assisting him is Tommaso (Francesco Venditti), a brilliant deputy commissioner from Ancona and the husband of Viola (Giorgia Würth), who is Laura’s best friend but is hiding her own secret. Meanwhile, Laura’s mother-in-law (Lina Sastri) perceives Davide’s return as a threat—not only to her son’s marriage but also to a shocking truth she has kept hidden for some time. Amidst a backdrop of eroticism, betrayal, forbidden passions, and mysteries, a sudden murder will alter the destinies of all the characters involved, putting their certainties at risk.
The entertaining and effective soundtrack is the work of respected Maestro Paolo Vivaldi. It’s a mix of styles, having to it a light and appealing sound, the composer employs solo piano from time to time within the score, adding to it soft and romantic sounding strings, which are expressive and warm. At times, whilst listening, I was reminded of the sound of Stelvio Cipriani’s score to The Anonymous Venetian, then on other occasions, the more dramatic and low-key sounds evoked Morricone and Nicolai. Available now on digital platforms.
Una Nuova Vita.
Vittoria Greco (played by Anna Vale) discovers her husband, Leonardo Moser’s body, at the end of a mountain climb. After eight years in prison, she wins a competition to become a doctor and returns to the village of San Martino di Castrozza, where she faces challenges in regaining the trust of the community and her husband’s family.
Her son, Matteo, rejects her, having been raised by his uncles. Vittoria meets Marco Premoli, a criminal lawyer from Milan, who decides to help her seek justice and reclaim her son. The Moser family has hired a journalist to further tarnish Vittoria’s reputation, suggesting she had an affair with Diego Ferrari, for whom she may have killed her husband.
As a doctor, Vittoria discovers that Leonardo had given money to Raul Chiesa, a local inn owner, for a cabin where he met a woman, amidst family disputes over a hotel renovation. Meanwhile, Premoli finds his daughter and learns of her connection to Leonardo Moser.
The score for this series is composed by Andrea Farri. I must emphasise the melodious quality of this soundtrack, which can be a rarity in British or American television soundtracks, aside from a few notable composers like Debbie Wiseman and Ben Bartlett. Farri’s music is truly delightful, and although the digital release is brief—just over twenty minutes—its impact was significant for me. Tracks such as “La Ferrata,” “Il Sangue deiMoser,” and “Ricordi di Una Vita Passata” all feature a clear melodic essence, while also incorporating a driving and darker element. Overall, it is a varied and entertaining score that I highly recommend.
L’Affaire Laura Stern.
Laura is a pharmacist and a mother who founded an association called Femmes Debout to support women who are victims of violence. One day, she witnesses the murder of one of its members and feels utterly helpless. Deeply traumatised by this act of femicide and infuriated by the inaction of the police and justice system, she resolves to confront men’s violence with violence to protect those around her. This French TV mini-series is a drama, that is at the moment streaming on HBO.
The music is composed by Eric Neveux and features a score filled with subtle yet effective themes. I describe it as subtle because the melodies remain below the surface, rarely coming to the forefront. However, this isn’t a criticism of the score; I genuinely enjoyed how the music complemented the drama. There are a few moments where melodies peek through, such as in the cue “Camille.” Although it may not be a grand or lavish statement, it is truly delightful to hear. I am a fan of subtle or understated scores, and this one is a piece I thoroughly enjoyed. I recommend giving it a listen—it’s available on digital platforms now.
VAKA.
“Vaka” explores the harrowing ordeal of Stockholm’s population as they grapple with a relentless epidemic of insomnia. The city quickly descends into turmoil, with the inability to sleep transforming daily life into a ceaseless nightmare marked by mounting chaos and unpredictability. As the mysterious illness tightens its grip, the interconnected lives of Stockholm’s residents are thrown into disarray, each battling their own personal struggles amid the broader crisis.
Among those caught in the upheaval is a disgraced prime minister, desperate to manage not only the escalating public emergency but also to salvage his own reputation. His efforts are further complicated by the need to protect his wayward son, whose actions threaten to make an already volatile situation even worse. Meanwhile, a committed ambulance nurse faces her own moral dilemma, risking everything to save the life of her lover, who has succumbed to the infection. The story also follows a teenage girl, who finds herself thrust into a position of responsibility as she steps in to defend a vulnerable young neighbour after his family becomes victims of both the spreading illness and the dangerous conspiracies it gives rise to.
Through its interconnected narratives, “Vaka” offers a compelling depiction of a city in crisis, highlighting themes of resilience, sacrifice, and the delicate relationships among its inhabitants. The musical score, composed by Atli Örvarsson, Kjartan Holm, and Sin Fang, primarily features electronic elements, complemented by live cello and string performances.
The soundtrack presents cohesive and distinctive compositions characterised by thematic development and creative expression. Notably, it effectively evokes moments of melancholy through its melodic arrangements that are at times lingering in the background, purveying a sense of hope. Stand-out tracks include Predators in Nature. Radiation and Stockholm’s Drinking Water. The album is now available on digital platforms.
Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials.
Streaming now on Netflix is Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, featuring innovative music by Anne Nikitin. Her score stands out both in the show and on its own, making it worth listening to repeatedly.
It has to it an atmosphere of adventure and mystery, and is rich in inventive and thematic compositions. It’s available on digital platforms and highly recommended.
Prima Di Noi.
“Prima Di Noi” is an Italian-produced television series that unfolds across ten episodes, offering an in-depth exploration of the Sartori family’s journey through the course of three generations. The narrative spans a significant period from 1917 to 1978, tracing the family’s roots in rural Friuli and following their migration to the industrial city of Turin.
Against the backdrop of two world wars, the post-war economic boom, and the turbulent years that follow, the series delves into the personal and social transformations experienced by the Sartori family. Created by Giulia Calenda, Daniele Luchetti, and Valia Santella, “Prima Di Noi” paints a vivid portrait of family life and societal change in twentieth-century Italy.
The enchanting and beguiling music for the series is composed by Alessandro Forti and Francesco De Luca. Their work delivers a truly gorgeous score, distinguished by its richness in thematic material. Throughout the soundtrack, enticing piano solos are seamlessly woven together with sweeping string-filled interludes, creating moments that are both emotive and affecting. These solos, whether performed by piano, woodwind, or strings, contribute significantly to the score’s depth and character.
At times, the music evokes a sound and atmosphere reminiscent of the late James Horner, adding a familiar yet unique quality to the series’ auditory experience. Additionally, the score features appealing musical poems, gracefully performed by guitar, lilting and breathy woodwind, subdued yet melodious strings, and poignant piano, which further enhance its allure. This is a soundtrack that comes highly recommended for listeners, and it is available now on digital platforms.
His and Hers.
A very different score from the previous one is Mac Quayle’s music for the Netflix series His and Hers; it relies more upon layers of tense and apprehensive music rather than melodic themes, although, saying this, there are glimpses and moments within the work that boast a theme or two. Mainly an electronic work, the music works well in the series, and also can be a rewarding listening experience away from it.
Cues such as What Room is She in, for example, are dark-sounding but also possess a theme of sorts that runs throughout the track. It is an inventive and innovative work, the composer fashioning hesitant, understated compositions that successfully underline and punctuate the proceedings. Available via digital platforms.
Love Through a Prism.
Also available for streaming on Netflix is Love Through a Prism, a Japanese original net animation series created by Yoko Kamio, renowned for her work on Boys Over Flowers. Produced by Wit Studio, the twenty-episode series premiered on Netflix in January 2026. In conjunction with the anime release, a manga adaptation illustrated by Maki Minami commenced serialisation on Shueisha’s Shōnen Jump+ and Manga Mee manga websites in the same month.
The story is set in early-1900s London and follows a Japanese student who travels to the city to pursue her studies in art. There, she becomes entwined with the life of a gifted young aristocrat, and their paths begin to overlap in unexpected ways.
The series features music by Naoki Chiba, whose score provides a thoroughly enjoyable and symphonic listening experience. The soundtrack is rich in themes, showcasing an easy-going and appealing character. Chiba primarily utilises strings, woodwinds, and a variety of percussive instruments, crafting a sound that recalls the styles of Hisaishi and Sakamoto. Expressive and engaging, the music adds considerable depth and charm to the overall production. It’s on digital platforms.
A group of five young people find themselves stranded in a remote and mysterious location. Their isolation takes a sinister turn when they fall under the control of a young woman who has become possessed by Lilith, a biblical demon whose origins trace back two thousand years. Lilith’s supernatural power proves overwhelming, leaving the group unable to escape her grasp. As time passes, the sense of dread grows, with each member anxiously awaiting their fate as the hours and minutes relentlessly count down.
Confronted by their dire predicament, the group’s personalities and relationships begin to unravel. Fear and anxiety spread amongst them, entangling their characters in a complex web of ancient curses and psychological terror. These events form the foundation of the horror movie, Young and Cursed, setting the stage for a chilling exploration of supernatural horror and human vulnerability. The music for this festival of demonic antics is composed by Patrick O’Malley, who has created an impressive score. It weaves and twists throughout the plot, enhancing the sense of dread, fear, and foreboding. While it may be early in the year to discuss potential best score awards, this work is exceptional.
PatrickO Malley.
O’Malley has crafted a score that exudes evil, dripping with tension and possessing a malevolent, unsettling persona. It appears to blend symphonic and synthetic elements, achieving a sound that is both wonderfully melodic and chilling at the same time. The use of solo piano in the cue “Hope and Sorrow” is hauntingly beautiful, drawing the listener in with its simple yet alluring melody.
Track number three, “Prologue and the Calling,” also has an attractive yet uneasy style. The composer employs strings, dark-sounding brass, and percussion, embellished with choral performances and unsettling sounds.
As the cue builds momentum, the music intensifies, mirroring the rising tension and uneasiness on screen. I would say that the score is one of the most entertaining horror soundtracks I have listened to in a while. Dark piano, racing strings, frenzied percussion and a menacing siren-like vocal all combine to treat us to a work that is of note and should be listened to. Highly recommended, available on digital platforms.
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