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The Smiths: A “Laughable” Soundtrack Twist
Assassins practice yoga, listen to The Smiths to prep for sniping or maintain focus during the act. Some turn to The Smiths for relaxation while on the move, while others use their music to immediately calm their minds post-murder. Regardless, The Smiths accompany him for all occasions, each situation having its designated favorite “The Smiths playlist” for work.
The Smiths, renowned for their dark murder noir and fluid guitar sounds, might seem an unusual choice at first glance. Fincher addressed this during a press conference at the 80th Venice International Film Festival, where the film premiered.
The Smiths were a post-production addition because I knew I wanted to use ‘How Soon is Now?’ and I love the idea of that song specifically as a tool for assuaging his anxiety, I liked it as a meditation tape, I thought it was amusing and funny.
I don’t think that there’s a library of music by recording artists that have as much sardonic nature and wit simultaneously [as the Smiths],” Fincher continued. “And we don’t get an awful lot of access to who this guy is. I thought through his mixtape it would be amusing, that that would be our window into him.
Source: from https://www.stereogum.com/2235024/david-fincher-the-killer-smiths-songs/
Also, according to an interview with the director at the Cinémathèque Française in October, various tracks by Dusty Springfield, Mozart, Siouxsie And The Banshees, Joy Division, and others were initially According to the film’s director of photography, Eric Meyer, the film was shot in the United States. Eric Messerschmidt, the director of photography, suggested The Smiths’ song as a candidate, and with Reznor’s strong support, they decided to use the song.
Importantly, as noted in the same interview, Fincher apparently did not intend to use The Smiths’ music merely as cool background music, but rather for the “funny” feeling it creates when layered on top of the images.
