Image via A24

The latest horror film from A24 is the studio’s scariest to date, as “Undertone” is sure to be the most nerve-wracking theater experience of the year.

The film follows a young woman named Evy (Nina Kiri) as she lives with and cares for her ill mother while also recording episodes of her popular paranormal podcast in her downtime. When a mysterious email containing ten ominous audio files is sent to her, she decides to listen to them on the podcast. As she does, the hellish mystery embedded within them descends upon her. 

The true star of “Undertone” is the use of sound. The audio files themselves are disturbing in their own right, but the way the film makes random noises around the house feel so unnerving is a testament to its effectiveness. The movie immerses you into Evy’s point of view. When she puts on her headphones, for example, you hear what she hears. It’s a technique that is expertly pulled off and greatly enhances the suspense that “Undertone” excels at. 

Kiri is excellent in the film, as it is entirely on her shoulders. As the stand-in for the audience, she shines at portraying Evy’s emotional state of mind as she balances the stress of caring for her mother, along with the stress that is brought on through some potential life-changing news that she receives in the process. The torment she experiences from the audio files is beyond intense, and Kiri is up for every bit of it. 

The film is set entirely in Evy’s mother’s house, and the space is put to phenomenal use. The home is lit scarcely throughout, producing eerie darkness around every corner. The camera also maneuvers around the house in creative ways. Many shots implement slow pans around certain rooms, resulting in a heightened sense of tension regarding what may or may not appear in frame. Other shots sit completely still, but wisely keep darkened areas in view, forcing you to keep glancing back and forth to make sure nothing sinister is lurking in the shadows.

“Undertone” is Ian Tuason’s first venture into feature filmmaking, and what a debut it is. Tuason is already proving to be a master at earning scares through built atmosphere and suspense. A much lesser movie would’ve relied heavily on cheap jump scares, but Tuason forces you to sit in dread for elongated stretches of time, so by the time the scare finally arrives, it’s all the more upsetting. 

It goes without saying that the slow-burn style of the film makes for a sluggish viewing experience at times. The story tends to drag in some spots towards the midway point, but even so, the mystery being uncovered through the audio files is so engrossing that it never becomes boring. Though some scenes feel slightly tedious through the first half, the film makes up for them with a third act that is as terrifying a finale as I’ve seen in a horror film in a long time. 

With a production budget of only $500,000, “Undertone” is a massive accomplishment in indie horror filmmaking. It is yet another shining example of horror garnering profound profitability, while proving that simplistic horror can often produce the best results if executed well.

If you can, go see it in a dark theater and share the experience with other people. It’ll seep into your skin and stay there until you’re ready to crawl out of it.