The film relies on sound design to deliver its scares (Image: Undertone)
Horror enthusiasts are flocking to cinemas to catch this spine-chilling film before it’s too late.
If you’ve watched virtually every horror film going, the chances are you’re no longer frightened by cheap tricks and jump scares that still send the average viewer leaping from their seat.
But one new release promises to make your skin crawl even if you believe there’s nothing more cinema can do to unsettle you. Undertone is showing in cinemas now, and one film critic and horror devotee on social media claimed it managed to get under her skin and leave her feeling « scared » – even when most other horror films fail to do so.
Zara Mary shared a clip on TikTok in which she urged all fans of scary movies to head to their nearest cinema to see Undertone while it’s still on, describing it as unlike anything she’s ever witnessed before.
She said: « Jump scares in horror films just don’t do it for me any more. A horror film has got to be really creative if it’s going to get under my skin or if it’s going to make me scared. And Undertone is one of those films that really surprised me and really scared me. »
Undertone is a Canadian supernatural horror film written and directed by Ian Tuason in his directorial debut. It centres on a woman named Evy, portrayed by Nina Kiri, who hosts a paranormal podcast alongside her friend Justin, played by Adam DiMarco, in which he is a believer in the supernatural and she is a sceptic.
When Evy returns home to care for her terminally ill mother, portrayed by Michele Duquet, she and Justin are sent recordings of a married couple experiencing paranormal disturbances in their home. Evy becomes increasingly consumed by their paranoia and dread as she too begins to encounter strange occurrences within her own house.
The film adopts an unconventional approach, relying heavily on sound design to generate its frights. The only two characters ever visible on screen are Evy and her mother, with all other characters featuring solely as disembodied voices through the podcast.
Zara commented: « This film is not going to be for everyone. There has been a lot of hype around it already, with some people saying it’s the scariest film they’ve ever watched. I don’t quite fall into that camp. It did give me chills, it did creep me out a little bit, and I think overall it is a really, really good film that you should definitely go and see in the cinema. »
The critic revealed she watched it during a film festival on a laptop with headphones, which she believes may have diminished the overall viewing experience, suggesting it would prove considerably more impactful on a large screen paired with a premium sound system.
She elaborated: « I don’t think I got the full effect, especially when it comes to the sound design, because that’s what this film heavily relies on and does brilliantly. With a cast of only two people and set in one location, it really feels like the walls are closing in on you when you’re watching this film. And there really are some genuinely scary scenes that have stuck with me since I first watched it. »
Those responding to Zara’s video expressed enthusiasm about viewing the film following her endorsement, with numerous individuals stating they hadn’t encountered it before seeing her assessment. Others mentioned they hoped it meets expectations, as they currently find it challenging to discover horror films that genuinely catch them off guard.
One individual commented: « I think I will [watch it] now that you’ve mentioned it, because I’d not even heard of it before. »
Another contributed: « I don’t find any movie scary. I find them good or bad. I’ll watch this, though. »
A third posted: « Any ‘scary’ movie after Conjuring 2 is just boring to me. Unless it’s creepy and makes me feel like I can’t turn my lights off, I get bored. »
Undertone is out now in cinemas.
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