Harris Dickinson has made a striking entrance into filmmaking with his directorial debut, Urchin, which recently premiered at the New York Film Festival. Known primarily for his acting work, Dickinson blends his passion for music and cinema by curating the film’s distinctive electronic soundtrack, establishing himself as a promising new director with a clear musical vision.
The Soundtrack’s Role in Shaping Urchin’s Unique Atmosphere
With a strong inclination for electronic music, Dickinson crafted a score for Urchin that contrasts heavily with the movie’s more naturalistic scenes. The intense synth-driven soundtrack reflects the film’s emotional and thematic extremes.
“We wanted to be quite extreme with it,”
Dickinson explained regarding the music’s role in the film. “I love electronic music.” This fusion of sound and story creates an immersive sensory experience, highlighting the tension and nuances in the narrative.
The soundtrack also complements the standout performance by Frank Dillane, whose physical expressiveness adds layers beyond dialogue. Dickinson noted the power of nonverbal cues enhanced by music, saying that music can convey subtleties about character and mood that visuals and dialogue alone might miss.
Musical Influences and Personal Favorites from Dickinson’s Playlist
Alongside discussing his soundtrack choices, Dickinson shared details about the songs influencing his creative process and personal tastes in a recent interview. His playlist, which he curated during filming, includes a variety of artists spanning genres and decades, underscoring his eclectic musical interests.
He fondly remembers the first song on his playlist, “Black Beatles” by Rae Sremmurd, linked to a memorable New York concert during his time filming Beach Rats. He recalled the energy of witnessing rappers commanding the stage like rock stars, a moment that left a lasting impression despite an eventual cut of the scene featuring the song in Urchin. Dickinson reflected,
“That song was really huge, and it’s got quite a cinematic feeling to it.”
His current rap favorites include British artists Digga D and Central Cee, alongside American rapper J. Cole, highlighting his appreciation for contemporary hip-hop scenes on both sides of the Atlantic. Music icons from other eras also hold a place in his rotation, such as Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock,” which he cites as his preferred karaoke song, and Rod Stewart, evoking feelings of home.
Among his admired tracks is Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” a song he wishes he had written, demonstrating his affection for pop alongside rap and electronic music. He also mentioned other memorable music moments from film, like the Nirvana tracks used in Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, underscoring how music enriches cinematic storytelling.
The Challenge and Experience of Music on Set and Creative Inspiration
Dickinson described the atmosphere on set as a social environment where group music choices reflect the collective mood, often preventing him from playing his preferred tracks openly. To manage overstimulation while working, he favors music without lyrics, which helps him focus amid the hustle of filmmaking.
His inspiration partly stems from the vibrancy of New York, where he has encountered a mosaic of communities and creative energy.
“Being in New York, for example, experiencing life and the exuberant spirit of a city, the communities, and people that are all doing different things at the same time, to me, that’s quite inspiring,”
Dickinson said. His openness to new experiences fuels his restless creativity and desire to tell original stories.
How Music Embodies Emotions Beyond Dialogue in Urchin
Urchin uses its electronic soundtrack to amplify emotional undercurrents and complement the film’s storytelling without relying heavily on exposition. Dickinson highlighted Frank Dillane’s ability to communicate through subtle physicality, which music supports by filling in the emotional subtext between scenes and moments of silence. This approach allows audiences to engage more intuitively with the characters’ internal struggles and journeys.
Looking Ahead: Harris Dickinson’s Emerging Vision as Director and Music Enthusiast
With Urchin marking his transition from actor to filmmaker, Harris Dickinson establishes himself as a director with a strong sense of sonic and narrative identity. His deep connection to music continues to shape his storytelling style, hinting at more projects where sound and image will intertwine in compelling ways. As he prepares to portray John Lennon in Sam Mendes’s forthcoming Beatles biopic, Dickinson’s multifaceted talents may soon bridge his passions for music and film even further.
