‘The Simpsons’ New Episode Draws from ‘Jaws’ and Horror Classics

BREAKING: The latest episode of The Simpsons, titled Treehouse of Horror XXXVI, debuted with a thrilling musical homage to the legendary film Jaws, confirmed by composer Kara Talve. This urgent update highlights how the iconic score by John Williams heavily influenced the episode’s chilling soundtrack.

In this new installment, Springfield faces a terrifying monster emerging from the sewers, setting the stage for three spine-tingling segments. The first segment, “The Last Days of Crisco,” introduces the grotesque monster, Fatberg, who draws fat from his victims in a parody of Jaws. Talve stated, “The music to Fatberg had to be delightfully distasteful and disgusting,” emphasizing the need to create a truly horrifying sound.

Talve, part of the esteemed Bleeding Fingers Music collective founded by Hans Zimmer, is on her sixth collaboration with fellow composer Russell Emanuel. Together, they crafted a score that utilizes heavy orchestral elements and bold brass arrangements, reflecting the influence of Jaws. Talve noted, “We got to go really John Williams,” creating a sound that heightens the episode’s horror elements.

The second segment, “Clown Night with the Devil,” takes a different approach, featuring Krusty the Clown and a demonic guest voiced by Idris Elba. Talve explains that this section leans into synth-heavy tones, inspired by the 2023 horror film Late Night With the Devil. “On the spotting call, Mike Price, the showrunner, kept referencing this demonic hum,” she added, illustrating how specific cinematic influences shaped the segment’s music.

The final segment, “Plastic World,” diverges from horror to depict a dystopian vision of Springfield, where Buzz Cola bottles dominate the landscape. For this segment, renowned woodwind artist Pedro Eustache contributed his unique instruments, including a custom-made PVC pipe. Emanuel remarked, “He had made this giant thing out of PVC pipe, and he was a key part of the sound of ‘Plastic World.’”

With its intertwining of classic horror and modern twists, Treehouse of Horror XXXVI promises to captivate audiences and is already generating buzz across social media platforms.

IMMEDIATE IMPACT: As fans tune in to this latest episode, the references and musical tributes are resonating on a deeper level, bridging nostalgia with contemporary horror themes. Viewers can catch The Simpsons airing new episodes every Sunday at 8 PM ET on Fox, with Treehouse of Horror XXXVI now available for streaming.

Stay tuned for more updates as the episode continues to evolve in viewer discussions and critical reception. This is an episode that fans will be talking about for a long time to come!