The supernatural horror landscape of 2026 was redefined on March 13, when A24 released Undertone across North America. Directed by Ian Tuason in his feature debut, the film quickly transitioned from a niche festival darling at Fantasia to a massive box-office phenomenon. With a modest production budget of just $500,000, Undertone grossed over $22 million worldwide, proving that high-concept psychological dread often outweighs CGI-heavy spectacles.

The film follows Evangeline "Evy" Babic (played by Nina Kiri), a skeptical paranormal podcast host who returns to her childhood home to care for her comatose, dying mother. As her personal life collapses under the weight of grief and exhaustion, she and her co-host Justin (Adam DiMarco) receive ten mysterious audio recordings. These tapes, capturing the descent of a pregnant couple into madness, begin to mirror Evy’s reality, suggesting that whatever was heard on the tapes has found a way into her home.

The Genesis of a Modern Cult Classic

The journey of Undertone began far from the bright lights of a Hollywood studio. Ian Tuason originally conceived the project as a radio play, a medium that demands the audience’s imagination to fill in the visual gaps. This skeletal framework remained the backbone of the film version. Shot in Tuason’s own childhood home in Rexdale, Toronto, the production carried an inherent, uncomfortable intimacy.

Tuason’s choice to use his personal history—specifically his experience caring for terminally ill parents—infuses the film with a level of authenticity rarely seen in the genre. The house itself becomes a character, with its cramped hallways and flickering lights serving as the physical manifestation of Evy’s deteriorating mental state. By limiting the on-screen cast almost entirely to Evy and her mother, Tuason forces the viewer into a claustrophobic bond with the protagonist.

Deciphering the Ten Audio Files

The narrative engine of Undertone is the sequence of ten audio recordings sent by an anonymous source. These files follow a couple, Mike and Jessa, as they document paranormal noises in their new home. For the audience, these recordings are not just plot devices; they are immersive experiences designed to be played at maximum volume.

The Inversion of Childhood Innocence

One of the most chilling moments in the film involves the fourth recording, where Jessa is heard singing "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" in her sleep. When Justin plays the audio in reverse, the hidden message—"lick the blood off"—serves as the first overt sign of the demonic presence. This scene utilizes a technique known as backmasking, a trope popularized in the 1970s but executed here with modern binaural precision. The sound of the distorted voice feels as if it is whispering directly into the viewer's ear, a testament to the film's superior sound design.

The Progression of the Demon

As the tapes progress, the sounds evolve from rhythmic thumping to guttural, non-human vocalizations. By the eighth tape, the dialogue becomes a desperate plea for intervention. The brilliance of this structure lies in its delayed gratification. We never see Mike or Jessa; we only hear their terror, which allows the viewer’s subconscious to construct a horror far more personalized than any prosthetic mask could provide.

The Mythology of Abyzou: More Than Just a Ghost Story

Unlike many contemporary horror films that rely on generic "demons," Undertone dives deep into Mediterranean and European folklore by introducing Abyzou. In ancient traditions, Abyzou was a female demon blamed for miscarriages and infant mortality, driven by her own infertility and jealousy.

Theological Dread and Maternal Fear

The film intertwines this ancient lore with Evy’s modern anxieties. Upon discovering she is pregnant and feeling unfit for motherhood, Evy becomes the perfect prey for an entity that feeds on maternal guilt. The Virgin Mary statue that moves throughout the house represents the Catholic upbringing Evy has tried to abandon, creating a conflict between her skepticism and the inescapable spiritual reality of her situation.

The demon’s name, revealed through reversed audio as "Come in, Abyzou," acts as a verbal contract. In the film’s internal logic, listening to the tapes is an act of invitation. This meta-commentary suggests that the audience, by watching and listening to the film, is also participating in the summoning.

Sensory Deprivation as a Cinematic Tool

The most discussed aspect of Undertone is its use of "negative space." For 94 minutes, the audience is subjected to a visual austerity that heightens the auditory senses.

Why You Only See Two People

Nina Kiri and Michèle Duquet are the only actors who appear on screen. Every other character, including the co-lead Adam DiMarco, exists only as a voice. This was not just a budgetary decision but a stylistic one. By depriving the audience of visual cues from the supporting cast, Tuason creates a sense of profound isolation. When Evy talks to Justin over the computer, we are looking at her face, watching her reaction to his fear. We are trapped in her perspective.

The Role of Dolby Atmos

In theaters, the Dolby Atmos mix of Undertone was described by critics as an "aural nightmare." The sound design doesn't just come from the front speakers; it creeps up from the floorboards and breathes from the ceiling. The scratching sounds within the walls are panned specifically to make the theater walls feel porous. For those watching at home on streaming platforms like Max, the recommendation remains the same: use high-quality headphones or a surround sound system to experience the intended "weight" of the silence.

Performance Analysis: Nina Kiri’s Solitary Triumph

Carrying a film with almost no on-screen scene partners is a monumental task for any actor. Nina Kiri, known for her work in The Handmaid’s Tale, delivers a performance that Stephen King described as "nightmarish" and "heroic."

Evy is not a traditional "final girl." She is tired, grieving, and often unsympathetic. Kiri portrays the physical toll of caregiving—the dark circles under her eyes, the lethargic movements—with brutal honesty. As the paranoia takes hold, her skepticism doesn't shatter instantly; it erodes. The scene where she confesses to her comatose mother that she doesn't want her child is perhaps more uncomfortable than any jump scare, grounding the supernatural horror in a very human darkness.

Adam DiMarco, though only heard, provides the necessary emotional tether. As Justin, his voice shifts from the enthusiastic energy of a paranormal enthusiast to the trembling realization that they have crossed a line. The chemistry between the two, maintained entirely through audio, is a masterclass in vocal performance.

The A24 Factor and the 2026 Horror Market

A24’s acquisition of Undertone for a seven-figure sum in late 2025 was a strategic move that paid off immensely. The studio marketed the film not as a traditional horror movie, but as a "sonic experience." The teaser trailers, which featured nothing but a black screen and a 30-second audio clip of a heartbeat slowing down, went viral on social media, sparking intense curiosity.

Box Office and Streaming Dominance

Opening to $9.34 million in its first weekend, Undertone outperformed major studio releases with ten times its budget. Its success is part of a larger trend in 2026 where "lo-fi horror"—films that prioritize atmosphere over expensive effects—dominated the cultural conversation. Following its theatrical run, the film hit HBO Max on June 25, 2026, where it immediately claimed the No. 1 spot, surpassing high-budget action films.

The Future of the Franchise

Ian Tuason has hinted in several interviews that Undertone is the first chapter of a planned trilogy. While the first film focuses on the "Infection" (the act of listening), the sequels are rumored to explore the "Transmission" and the eventual "Manifestation" of Abyzou on a larger scale. Given the profit margins, A24 is likely to fast-track these projects.

Analyzing the Controversial Ending

The climax of Undertone has sparked endless debate on internet forums. As Evy finds her walls covered in crayon drawings of dead infants and the demon Abyzou, she finally utters the words: "Come in, Abyzou."

Is this a surrender or a transformation? The film leaves it ambiguous. Some interpret the ending as Evy’s ultimate breakdown under the pressure of her mother’s death and her unwanted pregnancy. Others see it as a literal possession, where the "undertone"—the hidden frequency of the demon—has finally synchronized with her own heart. The final shot of Evy’s mother standing in the bathroom, no longer comatose but menacingly still, serves as one last visual punch to an otherwise sound-heavy experience.

Technical Specifications and Practical Information

For enthusiasts and technical nerds, here are the key parameters of the 2026 release:

  • Run Time: 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 (European Vista), chosen to enhance the feeling of vertical confinement.
  • Budget: $500,000.
  • Global Box Office: $22,000,000.
  • Streaming Platform: Max (formerly HBO Max), released June 2026.
  • Rating: R for disturbing content, language, and some bloody images.

Conclusion and Summary

Undertone (2026) is a landmark in the horror genre, proving that the most effective way to scare an audience is to let them scare themselves. By leaning into the auditory power of a podcast format and the psychological weight of real-life caregiving, Ian Tuason created a film that lingers long after the credits roll. It is a triumph of independent cinema, a masterclass in sound design, and a harrowing exploration of maternal anxiety and supernatural intrusion.

Whether you are a fan of A24's "elevated horror" or a purist seeking a genuine chill, Undertone is essential viewing. Just remember: when you listen to the tapes, the demon is listening to you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Undertone (2026) based on a true story?

While the demon Abyzou is a real figure in ancient folklore, the specific story of Evy and the audio tapes is fictional. However, director Ian Tuason has stated that the emotional core of the film was inspired by his real-life experiences as a caregiver for his terminally ill parents.

Why do we only see two characters on screen?

This was a creative choice to emphasize the protagonist’s isolation and to force the audience to rely on their ears. By not showing the other characters, the film uses "negative space" to make the environment feel more unpredictable and frightening.

What is the hidden message in the song "Baa Baa Black Sheep"?

In the film, when the recording of the song is played in reverse, a voice is heard saying "lick the blood off." This is a technique called backmasking, used to signal the presence of the demon Abyzou.

Where can I stream Undertone?

As of June 2026, Undertone is available for streaming on Max (HBO Max) in the United States. It is also available for rent or purchase on platforms like Apple TV and Amazon Video.

Will there be a sequel to Undertone?

Director Ian Tuason has confirmed plans for an Undertone trilogy. While a specific release date for the sequel hasn't been announced, the massive box office success makes a follow-up highly likely.