Undertone (2025)
Undertone is a 2025 Canadian fantasy horror thriller film directed by Ian Tuason from a screenplay by Ian Tuason. The film is set to be released in Canada on July 27, 2025.
„Undertone“" is a Canadian psychological horror film with mystical elements, written and directed by Ian Tuason — his first feature-length project. The film premiered worldwide at the Fantasia International Film Festival in July 2025, where it received positive reviews for its atmosphere and innovative use of sound. A24 subsequently acquired the worldwide distribution rights, and the film is scheduled for a theatrical release in the United States and Canada on March 13, 2026. The film is known for its atmospheric approach to horror, in which sound design plays a key role in building tension. "„Undertone“" is both an introspective and eerie tale of fear, loss, and the border between the psyche and the supernatural.
The main character is Evie, who hosts a paranormal podcast with her partner Justin, but considers herself a skeptic. After returning to her hometown to care for her dying mother, Evie begins to receive strange audio recordings from a young, pregnant family that seem terrifying and inexplicable. Listening to these recordings begins to affect her mental state, causing her to question reality and her own beliefs. The sounds become increasingly intense and inexplicable as the line between the outside world and Evie's inner fears blurs. The film skillfully builds a sense of paranoia and mental disorder, using minimal visuals to emphasize the viewer's audio experience.
Director Ian Tuason skillfully uses sound as a primary tool for creating atmosphere, making the silence and noises in Evie’s home as menacing as any visual scene. Tuason builds tension gradually, avoiding fast-paced scares in favor of a slow but piercingly tense pace that forces the viewer to listen intently. The camera often remains static or close to the character, creating a sense of intimacy and claustrophobia. This approach allows the film to develop a deep psychological horror, in which sound vibrations and silence become active participants in the story. The result is an experience where fear comes not only from what is seen, but from what is heard and interpreted by the mind.
In the central role is Nina Kiri, which expresses Evie's psychological evolution - from a skeptic to a wounded and troubled woman immersed in unexplained phenomena. Chris Holden-Reid is voiced by Justin, her podcast partner, whose voice and beliefs contrast with Evie's skepticism. Michel Duquet plays Evie's mother, whose physical and emotional vulnerability sets the tone for the character's inner struggle. Supporting roles including Kiana Lynn Bastidas and Jeff Jung, contribute voice performances that add layers of mystery and suspense. The actors manage to convey the emotional weight of the story, even when presented primarily through voice and sound.
„Undertone“" is a fresh and experimental horror film that relies on sound design, psychology and atmosphere rather than visual effects or standard jump scares. The film cleverly plays with ideas of hearing and perception, making the viewer question what is real and what is a product of fear. With a minimalist yet intense approach, this is a title for fans of intelligent and slow-paced spiritual horror. The atmosphere is eerie, and sound is the main driver of tension. If you like horror films that make you listen and feel, not just watch, "„Undertone“" is one of the most interesting proposals for 2026.
