Radiohead Scores New Life for Nosferatu in Silents Synced Series. Silents Synced, a UK-based initiative led by director and curator Josh Frank, plans to resurface F.W. Murnau’s iconic 1922 silent horror film Nosferatu by pairing it with Radiohead’s groundbreaking albums Kid A (2000) and Amnesiac (2001). This blend marks the launch of a new “event cinema” series that adds a powerful contemporary soundtrack to classic silent cinema.
Concept Behind Silents Synced
Frank conceived Silents Synced to help independent theaters resist overreliance on big-budget blockbusters. Consequently, he’s fusing silent-era visuals with landmark albums to create immersive cinematic encounters. As he explained, “This has led us to something brand new out of necessity. We feel both film obsessives and music fans will find something really unique in” these events.
Why Nosferatu Meets Kid A/Amnesiac
F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror remains a cornerstone of German expressionism and vampire lore. Meanwhile, Kid A revolutionized music in 2000 with its avant-garde sounds, followed immediately by Amnesiac. Together, they offer moody, atmospheric scores that align well with the film’s fear-inducing visuals.
This fusion starts in October 2025 in the UK, aligning with Kid A’s 25th anniversary making it both timely and relevant.
Rollout and Venues
The program premieres at select UK cinemas this autumn, starting in October 2025. Meanwhile, North American indie theaters and drive-ins previously hosted the film-album pairing in late 2024. For instance, Los Angeles’s Aero and Los Feliz Theatres featured world premieres in September 2024, with a broader rollout on October 4, 2024.
Host venues like Cornell Cinema and IU Cinema have already showcased these screenings alongside live introductions by film experts, thus enriching audience engagement.
Audiences React to the Fusion
Music fans and cinephiles responded with enthusiasm. One Reddit user shared excitement when a local indie theater paired the film with both albums:
“Radiohead vs. Nosferatu = first movie release for Silents Synced! This October! Exclusively (for now) at US independent Cinemas and Drive‑ins!”
Organizers and audiences hailed the fusion as a fresh and exciting way to experience silent cinema tied to cult albums.
What’s Next for Silents Synced?
Silents Synced will follow up next year with another pairing: Buster Keaton’s Sherlock Jr. (1924) matched with R.E.M.’s Monster (1994) and New Adventures in Hi‑Fi (1996).
Final Take
Silents Synced boldly reimagines silent film presentation. By syncing Nosferatu with Kid A and Amnesiac, the project amplifies cinematic and musical synergy. This collaboration enriches both works, offering modern audiences a fresh experience through haunting visuals and atmospheric sound. If you’re a fan of experimental film events or Radiohead’s sonic landscapes, this autumn’s screenings promise memorable cultural immersion.
