A24 has built a reputation for producing and distributing artistic, elevated and psychological horror films. “undertone” comfortably fits within that mold. A directorial debut from Ian Tuason, the film almost entirely relies on sonic elements and minimalist storytelling. Typical horror tricks such as jump scares are forgone, as the film’s slow-burn atmosphere makes audiences genuinely fearful instead of provoking easy scares. However, this extreme tension builds to a climax that doesn’t completely satisfy, making the end product uneven.
The film follows Evy, played by Nina Kiri (“The Handmaid’s Tale”), a paranormal podcaster who lives and takes care of her dying mother. Evy, aside from her comatose “Mama,” is the only character we see in the duration of the entire film. Evy and her podcast co-host Justin, voiced by Adam DiMarco (“Overcompensating”), receive anonymous recordings of a pregnant couple’s encounters with the paranormal. As Evy listens to each recording, she becomes increasingly paranoid and maddened at her likeness to the woman in the recording.
Kiri’s performance in the one-woman show proves captivating. In a world with shortening audience attention spans, Kiri’s solo performance grips the viewer for the entire film, a difficult task to achieve. Despite this, the film — in all its minimalism — fails to establish her as a sympathetic character, which makes it harder to remain invested in her journey. Her drinking and relationship problems are alluded to but left with no explanation. Similarly, the role of Evy’s mother remains unclear. By the end of the film, her involvement becomes frustratingly confusing as to whether her mother died or catalyzed the paranormal activity occurring in the house.
“undertone’s” unquestionable strength persists in its sound design. With a budget of $500,000 and a limited cast and setting, the film uses audio creatively to build tension and create atmosphere. Evy’s noise-cancelling headphones feel as though they are being clamped over the viewer’s ears, every tick of a clock striking 3 a.m. deafening. Her listening to a guided meditation to sleep becomes an eerily spine-chilling moment in the film.
Despite its sonic art, “undertone” struggles with pacing. While the first half of the film remains incredibly gripping with the curated tension building, the final act squanders it by throwing the viewer into the deep end without much explanation. Thus, the film’s extremely slow-moving plot becomes tiring rather than suspenseful, and the pinnacle doesn’t feel satisfying after such a long buildup.
Even with its shortcomings, “undertone” lingers with viewers in an eerie way. The soundscape burrows under the skin, turning mundane noises into sources of dread long after the film ends. The silence of a quiet room feels uncomfortable, and a fear of what awaits when you sleep carries with you. The story doesn’t land with clarity, but its echo remains like a whisper you can’t quite make out.
3 podcast episodes out of 5
