A24 has firmly established itself as the premier destination for genre-defying cinema, consistently finding novel ways to unsettle audiences. That momentum shows no signs of slowing down in 2026 with the impending arrival of Undertone, a film that aims to make listeners think twice before queuing up their next podcast. Due for release in cinemas on 13 March, the picture promises a psychological descent that relies heavily on what one hears rather than merely what one sees.
A Descent into Auditory Madness
Written and directed by Ian Tuason, Undertone stars Nina Kiri as Evy Babic, a podcast host specialising in the mysterious and the unexplained. The story finds Evy in a vulnerable transitional period, having moved into her childhood home to care for her gravely ill mother. Whilst sourcing material for her programme, she begins analysing a series of intrusive audio recordings sent in by a young couple documenting their own paranormal nightmare.
What begins as a standard investigation for content quickly turns sinister. Evy realises that the terrifying experiences captured on the tapes—stemming from a pregnant couple’s encounter—begin to eerily mirror her own life. As the line between the recordings and her reality blurs, she finds herself spiralling into a state where truth and madness become indistinguishable.
Sound as the Ultimate Scare Tactic
Whilst visual jump scares are a staple of the genre, Undertone appears to be banking on sound design to do the heavy lifting. Seasoned horror aficionados know that the auditory landscape—the creak of a floorboard, the rhythm of a rocking chair, or the pelt of rain against a grimy window—often fuels the imagination more effectively than a visible monster. This film seems designed to exploit that psychological vulnerability, utilising an immersive soundscape to create a suffocating atmosphere.
The recently released trailer offers a glimpse into this approach, featuring moments that feel genuinely oppressive. The audio work in the preview alone is enough to raise the hairs on the back of one’s neck, suggesting that the film will be an ordeal for the ears as much as the eyes. For those brave enough to watch the trailer, wearing headphones is highly recommended to experience the full, chilling effect of the sound engineering.
Continuing a Legacy of Indie Horror
Undertone looks to be another prime example of A24’s strategy of backing smaller, high-concept horror films that compete with major studio blockbusters. The studio has effectively cornered the market on ‘elevated horror’ over the last decade, affording creative freedom to directors who delivered hits such as Hereditary, Talk to Me, and Pearl. This latest project fits squarely into that lineage, offering a fresh, lower-budget nightmare that prioritises atmosphere over cheap thrills.
Whilst US audiences can mark their calendars for the 13 March premiere, international release dates have yet to be confirmed. If the trailer is any indication, Undertone is poised to be one of the most unsettling sensory experiences of the spring film season.