New Release: undertone Review

Undertone is proof that loud doesn’t always equal scary.

undertone (2026)

Ian Tuason’s first long film showed flashes of brilliance. And if rumors are correct, he’s been picked to direct the next ‘Paranormal Activity’, but hopefully, he uses this debut film to work out the kinks before his next project.

Undertone is shot in one location, Evy’s house, where she lives with her dying mother. At night, Evy hosts a podcast with her cohost, Justin, where they discuss paranormal activities and play videos or sound clips submitted by listeners. Evy is the skeptic on the show until the latest sound clips sent to them start to affect her, potentially driving her to the point of madness.

Nina Kiri investigates the paranormal in 'undertone'

What works: This movie works very well in a theater with incredible surround sound.  The sound design's strength can’t be denied. You feel the sound in your chest; it’s immersive, sometimes suffocating at points, all to ratchet up the tension. Shooting in one location also helps create a claustrophobic atmosphere that Evy must feel, living in a space she feels trapped in.

What doesn’t work: As good as the sound is in this film…the script lacks. Soon, you become hyper-aware of the sound, with moments that don’t go anywhere, making it feel repetitive and almost numbing you to the tense moments that are trying to be created. Unfortunately, by the time the payoff arrives at the end, you’re glad there’s SOMETHING, but then it becomes almost too much at once, leaving you feeling disoriented and not in a good way. This movie doesn’t feel like it will have a large market for rewatchability (yeah, I made up a word…go with it) and comes across as borderline forgettable after you’ve left the theater.

'undertone' brings the noise...literally

What questions I’m left with:  Whereas the film does touch on the lore behind the spookiness, I wonder if letting the lore breathe a bit more and sprinkling in a few more jump scares would’ve helped make something out of nothing.

It’s not a terrible movie, which I know isn’t a huge compliment, but it does a good job of reminding one that loud doesn’t always equal scary. A good story could’ve built up the tension more, with sound complementing it rather than being at the forefront.

Overall, it’s worth a seat in the theater, but only with a $5/6 ticket. $20 might be a bit much for this super short, ho-hum film.  3/5