Summary

Max Richter’s “On the Nature of Daylight” has become one of the most frequently used contemporary classical pieces in screen music, featuring in over twenty film and television productions to date . Its most high‑profile cinematic placements include Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island (2010) and Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival (2016) , while on television it underscored the emotional centerpiece of episode 3, “Long, Long Time,” in HBO’s The Last of Us (2023) . Below is a non‑exhaustive breakdown of notable appearances by medium.

Movies Featuring “On the Nature of Daylight”

Stranger than Fiction (2006)
The track appears during key reflective moments in Marc Forster’s dramedy starring Will Ferrell .
The Trip (2010)
Michael Winterbottom’s comedy‑drama uses the piece to underscore its quieter, more introspective interludes .
Shutter Island (2010)
Martin Scorsese pairs Richter’s strings with Leonardo DiCaprio’s dream visions, heightening the film’s emotional resonance .
Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)
The documentary employs the composition to accentuate its meditative exploration of culinary artistry .
Disconnect (2012)
Henry Alex Rubin’s drama about interpersonal communication uses the piece in its poignant turning points .
White Night (2012)
This South Korean thriller features the track to underscore its tense, atmospheric flashback sequences .
Sleepless in New York (2014)
The indie romance incorporates the piece over its more contemplative, character‑driven moments .
The Face of an Angel (2014)
Michael Winterbottom’s true‑crime drama uses Richter’s music to lend a haunting undercurrent to its narrative .
Sherpa (2015)
Jennifer Peedom’s mountaineering documentary turns to the track during sequences of both triumph and tragedy .
Me and Kaminski (2015)
Wolfgang Becker’s comedy‑drama highlights the piece in scenes of reminiscence .
Arrival (2016)
The opening and closing sequences of Denis Villeneuve’s sci‑fi drama are book‑ended by Richter’s composition .
Vatanim Sensin (2016)
The Turkish historical drama film includes the track in its emotionally charged moments .
Les Innocentes (2016)
Anne Fontaine’s wartime drama uses Richter’s piece to underscore its themes of suffering and hope .

Television Appearances of “On the Nature of Daylight”

Luck – Episode Four (2012)
The HBO series about horse racing employs the piece during a pivotal character montage .
Castle Rock – “The Queen” (2018)
Hulu’s Stephen King anthology deploys the track over its closing credits .
The Light in Your Eyes – “The Proposal” (2019)
The Korean series features Richter’s music to heighten its time‑bending romance .
9‑1‑1 – “Malfunction” (2019)
In this procedural’s third season, the piece underscores a rescue‑oriented emotional beat .
EastEnders – 35th Anniversary Episode (2020)
The long‑running British soap revisits its history to Richter’s strings .
Amazing Stories (2020)
Spielberg’s anthology reboot uses the track in one of its standalone tales .
Through the Glass Darkly (2020)
This Irish drama film (often categorized as TV‑film) features the piece over its somber climax .
The Handmaid’s Tale – “Progress” (2021)
Hulu’s dystopian series employs Richter’s work during one of its most introspective sequences .
Kleo (2022)
The German‑set revenge thriller series incorporates the track in its mid‑season montage .
The Last of Us – “Long, Long Time” (2023)
HBO leverages the piece for the heart‑wrenching Bill and Frank flashback in episode three .

This list captures many of the standout uses of “On the Nature of Daylight,” but given its widespread adoption, there may be additional film and television placements beyond those detailed above.

Sublime

Jefferson Stovall

Johannes Herseni

Jonathan Youngblood

Hanna Bergström

Marc Mueller

Planetarium

Soundtracks

Jonathan Morgan

Jon Williams