Undertone: A Horror Film Built on Sound

Director Ian Tuason's debut feature film, "Undertone," an A24 horror release, focuses on creating fear through an innovative and immersive soundscape. The film, which began screening in cinemas on April 9, was shot in Tuason's childhood home, where some crew members reported unexplained incidents during production.

Production Details and Film Synopsis

Filipino-Canadian director Ian Tuason filmed "Undertone" in his childhood home. During production, crew members reported incidents including flickering lights. An actor also reportedly dreamed details of a scene before reading the script. According to sources, these events led some crew members to believe in paranormal activity.

The film follows podcaster Evy, portrayed by Nina Kiri, who discovers a series of mysterious audio files while caring for her terminally ill mother. The discovery initiates a reality-bending narrative for the character.

Sound as a Central Horror Element

Tuason has stated that sound is the primary driver of fear in "Undertone," estimating it contributes 70 to 80 percent of the horror experience in films. His approach includes the strategic use of silence to create an inescapable sense of fear for the audience. He has noted that sound can be more effective than visuals in inducing fear, as viewers can cover their eyes but not as easily escape sound.

Technical Audio Design

The film's script was approximately 250 pages, significantly longer than a standard screenplay, due to extensive audio-cue directions that surpassed camera direction. The audio design features two distinct environments:

• A lo-fi, "found-audio" style for Evy's podcast segments, recorded to mimic authentic audio discoveries.
• A 3D Dolby Atmos soundscape for Evy's home environment.

These two audio worlds are designed to blend, creating ambiguity for the viewer. Tuason, drawing from a background in virtual reality, utilized directional audio cues to create immersive 360-degree soundscapes.

Anticipated Audience Reception and Viewing Experience

Tuason has acknowledged that the experimental, "slow-burn" nature of "Undertone" may lead to varied audience reactions, drawing comparisons to films like "The Blair Witch Project" and "Paranormal Activity."

He has stated that the film was tested across various viewing environments but that the full immersive experience is best achieved in cinemas with surround sound.

He has also suggested that viewers with active imaginations may find the film more frightening due to its reliance on implied, rather than explicitly shown, scares.