Undertone (dir. Ian Tuason) 

By: Dave Hughes

For many, podcasts serve as a primary source of emotional connection. Listeners often bond with hosts and become fully immersed in the digital worlds these creators build. Undertone explores the terrifying possibility of that world becoming disturbed and possessed. Director Ian Tuaon takes this modern concept of podcasting and transforms it into a visceral experience. It is one of the more memorable and haunting films in recent memory. This is a film that audiences will likely find impossible to forget.

Undertone follows the story of podcast host Evy, played by Nina Kiri (The Handmaid's Tale). Her life takes a dark turn when she receives a mysterious set of tapes in the mail. Encouraged to play the recordings on her show, Evy soon finds her reality becoming increasingly sinister. The film offers a visceral experience as the audio on the tapes begins to manifest in the physical world around her. By blending religious symbolism and ancient superstition with modern technology, the narrative creates a unique sense of dread. Undertone successfully gets under the skin of the audience from the moment the first tape is played and refuses to let go.

Nina Kiri is undeniably the star of Undertone. Because hers is mostly the only face the audience sees throughout the film, the viewers are forced to experience every moment of terror through her eyes. There is an initial sense of comfort in her presence, mirroring the familiar bond listeners often share with their favorite podcast hosts. This established intimacy significantly heightens the dread as uncertainty grows regarding the house Evy shares with her ailing mother. The scares are visceral, yet they are amplified most effectively by Kiri’s facial expressions and palpable tension in the world around her. By restricting the visual field to a single person, Tuason forces the audience into a state of claustrophobic empathy.

The scares in this film are some of the most genuine and terrifying in recent history. Even the most seasoned horror enthusiasts will feel the mounting tension, particularly during the final twenty minutes. Undertone is exceptionally effective in its sophisticated use of sound. While audio cues are a staple of the genre, this narrative forces the audience to become hyper-aware of their own surroundings. For the best experience, Undertone should be viewed in an immersive sound environment, whether using high-quality headphones at home or a Dolby Cinema theater. The film is meticulously designed to make viewers question every thump and bump, utilizing sound and uncertainty to create a remarkably tense atmosphere that gets into the audience’s head and does not let go, even after leaving the theater. 

Undertone marks the impressive debut of director Ian Tuason who has previously directed several shorts and serves as both writer and director for this film. It is genuinely exciting to see the promise he brings to the horror genre. Tuason manages to craft a deeply sympathetic protagonist while simultaneously sparking a morbid curiosity about the demonic entity tethered to the tapes. Achieving this level of balance is a rare feat for a first-time filmmaker. It is no surprise that he has already been tapped to helm the upcoming reboot of Paranormal Activity. His work here demonstrates the immense creative potential defining this current, exciting era for horror cinema. Undertone does not just scare its audience; it announces the arrival of a significant new voice in the genre.

Target Score 8/10: Undertone gets under the skin and into the ears of its audience. It is a terrifying film that masterfully creates a tense atmosphere while delivering a truly memorable cinematic experience.