Undertone’s Creators on Using Sound to Heighten Horror

Marketing for A24’s Undertone leans on the phrase “The scariest movie you’ll ever hear,” a line that mirrors the film’s focus on sound design. Director Ian Tuason leaned into audio to unnerving effect, crafting a theatrical listening experience the filmmakers say is central to the film’s impact.

The story follows Evy (Nina Kiri), who appears in nearly every shot as she cares for an unresponsive mother and cohosts a remote paranormal podcast with her friend Justin (Adam DiMarco). When Justin receives eerie recordings from a mysterious email address, the clips become fodder for an episode — and the more Evy listens, the stranger her surroundings grow, leaving her to wonder whether an otherworldly darkness is closing in or if it’s all in her head.

Kiri said much of her work was simply listening on camera, and that she heard many of the recordings for the first time while shooting.

undertone, a24, sound design, ian tuason, nina kiri, adam dimarco, paranormal podcast, eerie recordings, listening experience, horror film