Writer and director Ian Tuason makes his feature film debut with the highly anticipated A24 film, Undertone. The film follows a woman named Evy who has recently moved in to care for her dying mother while she also co-hosts a podcast exploring unexplained audio phenomenon. As they begin to listen to an anonymously emailed series of recordings, Evy’s skepticism and survival instincts are put to the test.

Tuason caught lightning in a bottle with his debut. Undertone is a slow burn. It primarily takes place in Evy’s mother’s home and only shows Evie and her mother, who is essentially catatonic. The only time we hear other people is either through phone calls or when Evy is recording the podcast virtually with her co-host, Justin, who lives in England. Justin is the one who receives the email containing ten mysterious audio files. At first, it’s just a husband recording his wife’s sleep talking because she doesn’t believe she does it. After that, the recordings become increasingly bizarre and sinister. What’s worse is what happens on the recordings begins to bleed into Evy’s life. It’s a great build-up of suspense with some subtle yet effectively haunting imagery to deliver scares. The mythos established is interesting and rooted in real legends, but it also makes it fairly obvious where the plot is going. The payoff is effective and there is some subversion of expectations, but the lore makes it quite predictable how Evy’s story will end.

The real star of Undertone, and what makes the film absolutely terrifying, is the sound design. Between the recordings themselves and the odd things Evy hears in her own home, there is a lot to help deliver the scares. It helps to immerse the audience in the film, making them feel as in danger as the characters in the film. If there is a theater near you playing Undertone with Dolby Atmos, I urge you to see it in that format. Seeing the film in a loud theater will no doubt be frightening, but that Dolby surround sound definitely makes for a nightmarish experience you won’t soon forget. The home the film takes place in helps create the atmosphere of unease as well. It’s an older, dated home filled with death, religious imagery, mirrors, and plenty of odd dark corners something could be lurking in. Adding to the creeping feeling within the home is some great camera work. Whether it’s off-kilter angles or panning shots that have you anticipating what lurks around the corner, each frame adds to the tension. It makes for the perfect setting, putting the audience on edge right along with the horrifying sounds.

Because Undertone really only shows one character throughout the film, it was up to Nina Kiri (The Handmaid’s Tale, Let Her Out) as Evy to bring the film to life. Kiri is fantastic in this role. She brings a certain rationality to the increasing supernatural sounds, all while conveying her exhaustion at caring for a dying parent all by herself. It makes the moment she breaks and starts to believe in what’s happening that much more impactful. Considering Evy is on screen alone for 90% of the film, Kiri gives a stellar performance. Michèle Duquet (The Virgin Suicides) plays “Mama.” While Mama is bedridden, unconscious, and dying for most of the film, one can imagine that is still difficult to do and she is deserving of a shout out. The audience also gets memorable voice performances from Adam DiMarco (The White Lotus) as co-host Justin as well as Keana Lyn Bastidas (The Hardy Boys) and Jeff Yung (The Shrouds) as the couple from the ominous recordings.

Undertone is an auditory nightmare that has to be experienced on the biggest screen with the best surround sound. While the story Tuason has created might be predictable at times, it is no less terrifying to watch. The sound design is a character itself, constantly keeping the audience in a state of unease until it leads to outright fear. Kiri proves she can carry a film on her very capable shoulders as she guides viewers on a descent into horror and madness. Because the film takes a slower, more gradual approach to the frights and sounds, Undertone might not be for everyone. But if you’re like me, very sound-sensitive, then this is one film guaranteed to deliver scares. Be sure to see Undertone in theaters beginning this Friday. March 13th.

OVERALL RATING: 7/10