Sound is one of the most important things in setting the mood in a film, and that has never been truer than in the new A24 horror film Undertone. Its tag line of “the scariest movie you’ve ever heard” is well deserved, but Undertone delivers much more than just spooky sounds. Will this immersive cinematic experience chill you to the bone?

The Plot

Undertone is about Evie, a young woman who plays the part of “skeptic” on a horror-themed podcast. As she juggles caring for her dying mother with recording her latest episode, a series of increasingly disturbing audio recordings begins to consume her. With each new recording she listens to, it becomes clear that something sinister has joined her in her childhood home.

The Sound

As I stated, the audio in Undertone is extremely important. It revels in the terrifying sound design, even cutting to black at several points to truly highlight the auditory horror. The film was originally conceived as a podcast series, and honestly, the podcast pieces are so well-crafted that they could probably still stand on their own. But the true brilliance of using sound, in the way that director Ian Tuason has, is that it extends the world beyond the small house where the film takes place. It adds disturbing layers to the story that are always there, even when you can’t see them. 

Lead actor Nina Kiri, who plays Evie, said in a Q&A after a recent screening that she had nightmares after watching the completed film for the first time. “I know what happens in the movie. Why is it affecting me so deeply?” She suggested that it was something deeper. Something not connected to the linear storyline that she experienced while filming.

The Experience

While the sound design is definitely something special, the rest of Undertone lives up to it in every aspect. The cinematography is extremely creative, often framing the subject in ways that draw your eyes to darkened corners as if you’re waiting for something to appear (and sometimes it does). The use of the single filming location, a small two-story house, was used to full effect as each corner and winding staircase felt like it might hide some new terror. Of course, the film would have fallen flat without the talent of its lead actor, Nina Kiri, who is the only person we both see and hear on screen. 

The House

Director Ian Tuason lived with this story for years before ever writing it down. He was taking care of his ailing parents, in the very same house where the movie was shot, when the idea came to him to make it a film. Existing in his childhood home, watching his parents fade away, he became very aware of his own isolation and how that might work on screen. He told Variety, “The house got haunted, and I had to live in it.” 

Who Should Watch Undertone?

If you are a fan of haunted house or possession horror stories, Undertone is definitely worth your time. I would urge anyone who wants the full experience to see this in the theater. I promise, no matter how good your sound system is at home, it will not be the same.