I got around to watching "Point Blank", a 1967 neo-noir thriller, starring Lee Marvin, which is excellent and inspired many subsequent movies of this genre. The score by Johnny Mandel caught my attention with its marriage of atonality and jazz. The opening credits track is a short fugue with a bass flute stating the theme, which is in no key or mode--indeed, at no time is there even a suggestion of a diatonic scale in the piece, including the ominous chord played by the strings at the end of the track. You can listen to it, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mksO1nA4t_8
This departure from tonal grounding creates tension and suspense, setting the stage for what's to come in the story of a tough guy who was double-crossed and left for dead but goes on to reap a whirlwind against those who wronged him.
