“The Apprehension Engine” is a music box of horrors. Robert Eggers’ historical horror films are recognized and admired for their eerie and macabre tone. A crucial component of this praise would be the chilling scores for these films by a hand-built instrument plucked from nightmares.

Film composer, Mark Korven is responsible for the absurd and shrill noises that complement Eggers’ films so well. By the hands of guitar maker, Tony Duggan-Smith, “The Nightmare Machine” or “The Apprehension Engine” was born. This instrument was utilized by Korven while working on The VVitch (2015)and The Lighthouse (2019). The machine is made up of wood, strings, a reverb tank and metal rulers. The machine elicits a feeling that, in my opinion, can be compared to liminal spaces or backrooms— a sort of empty, alone-in-the-world fear but there has to be something or someone lurking nearby. The unsettling sounds achieved from each component of this Hell-ridden device capture Eggers’ work exceptionally well.

The Apprehension Engine is available for pre-order for $10,450. However, you may be able to build your own version of an evil twin with the right materials. Nine Inch Nails’, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have one in their possession. They’ve worked on scores for David Fincher’s psychological thrillers like Gone Girl (2014) and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011). However, according to Revolver, it seems that this machine is a dog whistle only Mark Korven can understand and maneuver.

Scores and soundtracks for horror or thriller movies have the potential to be memorable. Korven’s work creates a fascinating approach to what we define as unnerving. Of course, the shower scene in Hitchcock’s, Psycho (1960) is embedded in our minds. People may recognize the scene by hearing the famous strings rather than what the scene physically looks like. With new inventions like the unwelcome guest that is The Apprehension Engine, the future of sound design has a lot in store.