How do sparse scores by Guðnadóttir and Göransson shape character and tension?

[Hannah.H]

I'm a film student working on a project analyzing the use of leitmotifs in modern cinema, specifically how composers like Hildur Guðnadóttir in "Joker" or Ludwig Göransson in "Tenet" build character and tension through recurring musical themes rather than traditional melody. I'm struggling to formally articulate how a sparse, atmospheric score can manipulate audience perception as effectively as a grand orchestral piece. For musicians or critics, what are the key elements to listen for when deconstructing a film score's narrative function, and which contemporary composers are pushing the boundaries of the art form in interesting ways?