A24
The film “Obsession” has established itself as a major hit, while “Backrooms” stunned audiences with its box office success. Even the latest installment of “Scary Movie,” known for its satire of the horror genre, drew people back to theaters for its playful jabs at classic horror clichés. Amid this onslaught of horror sensations, it’s easy to overlook understated films like “Undertone,” a recent addition from A24 that slipped by many. Fortunately, viewers can now experience it from the comfort of home—ideally with a quality sound system to enhance the experience.
Released on March 13, “Undertone” is now streaming on HBO Max, where it has rapidly climbed the platform’s popularity charts, reigning as the most-watched movie since June 29. This success can be attributed to its minimalist approach, which has captivated audiences, masterfully delivering thrills with simplicity.
The story revolves around Evy, portrayed by Nina Kiri, who is recording a podcast episode while simultaneously caring for her sick mother. True to its horror roots, the podcast delves into series of tapes that allegedly capture supernatural events. As Evy becomes more engrossed in these recordings, she starts to suspect that the eerie occurrences described might be manifesting in her own reality.
While films like “Insidious” rely on startling visuals and jump scares to frighten viewers, “Undertone” leans heavily on auditory elements to evoke fear. Subtle sounds—whispers and hisses—create a creeping sensation that the protagonist might not be as alone as she assumes in her home.
Undertone weaponizes your own mind against you
Dustin Rabin/A24
A significant portion of “Undertone” centers around Evy at her desk, speaking into a microphone. While this might seem dull at first glance, the tension escalates when she dons noise-canceling headphones, effectively isolating her from the usual ambient noise. As viewers peer into the shadowy hallways, they become hyper-aware, wondering if something ominous lurks unseen. Meanwhile, Evy remains blissfully ignorant until the terror makes itself undeniable.
“Undertone” made $21 million at the box office and garnered a 75% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. However, audiences only gave it a 50% on the platform, meaning it’s very much a “love it or hate it” type of horror film. It’s a low-key premise, without giant monsters or impressive visual effects filling up every frame, but it night be just what you’re looking for if you’re in the mood for a different type of horror experience.
“Undertone” may not work for everyone, but for those willing to give it a shot, it can get under your skin in more ways than one. On Instagram, @itsyourfilmsis noted that she broke out in hives after watching the movie. On Reddit, one user reportedly felt like taking a nerve pill afterward to calm themselves down. A movie that can elicit a real health episode? That’s just about the best endorsement a horror flick can receive.
“Backrooms” may be the A24 horror movie everyone’s talking about right now, but as we wait for “Backrooms 2” to get here, why not give “Undertone” a chance?