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The 8-minute doc that'll make you terrified of your own refrigerator hum.

Pattern Recognition (2017)

AnalyticalUnsettlingNostalgic

Overview

Documentary

To celebrate the BFI's Thriller season, filmmaker Daniel Cockburn explores the power of sound to terrify and unsettle. Using sounds from Hollywood's best-known thriller and horror films, Cockburn makes familiar noises frightening and leaves us wondering... What's that sound? And why won't it stop?

Flag of CACAFlag of GBGB
Psychological manipulationCollective fear memoryInvisible artSensory conditioning

Standout Aspects

Sound

Deconstructs iconic horror audio until it breaks your brain.

Editing

Rapid-fire montage of Hollywood's most anxiety-inducing moments.

Direction

Cockburn turns documentary into genuine mini-thriller experience.

Best for:Solo: Late night with headphones. Trust me.·Streaming: Prime YouTube rabbit hole material.·Rewatch: Spot every film reference on repeat.
Heads up:Jump Scares: Uses actual horror clips; the scares still land.
Daniel Cockburn

Director

Daniel Cockburn

ReleasedDec 1, 2017
Runtime8m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacefast
Intensityhigh
Tonemixed
Feelmedium
BFI

Top Cast

Daniel Cockburn

Daniel Cockburn

Self (voice)

Gene Hackman

Gene Hackman

Self (archive footage)

Daniel Kaluuya

Daniel Kaluuya

Self (archive footage)

John Travolta

John Travolta

Self (archive footage)

Ask about Pattern Recognition

Opens AI chat

Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Cultural

Created for BFI's 2017 Thriller season alongside screenings of classics like Don't Look Now and Night of the Hunter.

Insight

Cockburn's technique mirrors the McGurk effect—proving your ears lie to you when your eyes (or expectations) demand it.

Gallery

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