When it comes to horror, A24 doesn’t play around. Undertone centers entirely around a podcast host as she cares for her terminally ill mother. When a series of emails is discovered, all containing voice recordings of seemingly paranormal events, things quickly take a dark and deeply unnerving turn.
Undertone is written and directed by Ian Tuason and stars Nina Kiri as podcast host Evy, and Adam DiMarco as Evy’s unseen co-host and best friend whose voice appears throughout. This single-location movie was penned by Ian Tuason during his own experience of giving end-of-life care to his parents, perhaps bringing an extra layer of depth and realism to the film.
Undertone Review
Undertone is the perfect example of psychological horror done right. It’s not the type of all-singing, all-dancing action-packed spectacle that audiences have come to associate with cinematic releases these days, so anyone going into it would do well to remember this. Quite simply put, Undertone does not need to rely on cinematic tropes, elaborate stunts, or overused cliches. Instead, Undertone creeps silently under your skin, playing on our own primal fears and exploiting them in the most delightfully terrifying way. As the tension builds, so too does the overwhelming sense of paranoia and deep-rooted dread.
Undertone perfectly captures those moments when you’re alone in your house, the floorboards creak, a light flickers, and for a moment we swear we’ve seen something, or someone, right there in the corner of our eye. The concept is so unnerving that you’ll question your own ears and eyes at every pivotal scene. Undertone is scarier than The Babadook and more chilling than Hereditary, and that’s no mean feat.
The true beauty (and terror) of Undertone lies in its impeccable use of sound design. It’s the star of the show, and the no-holds-barred approach to this in Undertone is nothing short of genius. From the crystal clear sound quality itself to the haunting, tension-building elements woven expertly throughout, it’s a unique and visceral masterpiece that complements the viewing experience perfectly, whilst ramping up the terror at every turn.
Undertone Trailer
The teaser for A24’s Undertone is also a prime example of how to get a horror movie trailer right. Whilst there are a few spoilers, it doesn’t showcase the entire movie, and still manages to capture the feeling of dread and unease that the film creates. Undertone is a movie you need to experience, and I promise you’ll be thinking about it for days to come. Just one tip, don’t watch it alone!
