Ian Tuason on Channeling Grief into A24’s Undertone &. the Next Paranormal Activity
A24’s Undertone, a new horror film directed by Ian Tuason, is already generating buzz as one of the scariest movies of 2026. The film, which opens in theaters on March 13th, distinguishes itself not through jump scares, but through a deliberate pacing and atmospheric dread, built around a unique sound design. The story centers on Evy (Nina Kiri), a paranormal podcast host who begins to experience unsettling events while caring for her dying mother and investigating mysterious audio recordings.
Undertone utilizes effective pacing for an atmospheric horror
Patience is key
Tuason’s approach to building suspense is a calculated one. He explained in an interview that he analyzed several critically acclaimed horror films – including Hereditary, The Babadook, Paranormal Activity and The Exorcist – to identify a formula for effective scares. He discovered a ratio of “creeps” (subtle clues and unsettling moments) to actual scares that seemed to work best in unhurried-burn horror. “I kind of nailed down the formula of the movie I wanted to make, which is that slow-burn, creepy movie,” Tuason said. “So I used a ratio similar to Paranormal Activity and The Exorcist but not so much like Hereditary and The Babadook. It’s more of jumping this way and that way. The ratio is more of 2 to 1 as opposed to 5 to 1.”
This deliberate pacing allows the atmosphere to build organically, creating a sense of unease that permeates the entire film. Tuason admits that once the film was completed, the scares lost their effect on him. “No. Nothing scares me anymore. I’ve seen it too much. I mean, I’ve seen it in my head way more for such a longer period of time than the year it’s been made.”
Horror is a genre for personal stories
Ian Tuason turned tragedy into a movie
The genesis of Undertone is deeply personal. Tuason channeled his grief and trauma into the film, drawing from the experience of being the caregiver for both of his parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both parents were diagnosed with terminal cancer, and Tuason moved back to his childhood home in Toronto to provide care. His mother passed away months after her diagnosis, and his father two years later. This period of loss and isolation profoundly impacted Tuason, and he found that the horror genre provided the most effective outlet for expressing those emotions.
“I couldn’t express that story in any other genre,” Tuason explained. “I could strive, but then it wouldn’t be capturing the essence of that experience, especially because I was alone doing it.” The film’s protagonist, Evy, mirrors Tuason’s own experience of isolation and the emotional weight of caregiving. The narrative explores themes of guilt, entrapment, and the descent into darkness that can accompany grief.
A key element of Undertone’s unsettling atmosphere is its innovative sound design. Initially, Tuason considered creating the film as a radio play, focusing solely on audio. He then found inspiration in Steven Soderbergh’s Kimi, which utilizes noise-canceling headphones as a plot device. “I saw Kimi…and I started writing it ” Tuason said. The use of noise-canceling headphones in Undertone creates a sense of vulnerability and disorientation, as the protagonist is cut off from the sounds of her surroundings, amplifying the feeling of dread. Noise-canceling headphone technology, while designed for immersion, becomes a source of terror in the film.
How does Ian Tuason secure out of a horror mindset?
Comedy, rom-com, or more horror?
After immersing himself in the darkness of Undertone, Tuason finds that watching comedies is the best way to decompress. “Yeah, definitely. I go to a comedy. I have to watch a comedy. I have to watch something funny, even if it’s just YouTube videos of cats.” Though, the pull of the genre is strong. “You want that thrill again, right?” he admits.
Undertone’s success has already led to new opportunities for Tuason. He has been hired by Paramount to write and direct the next installment in the Paranormal Activity franchise. The Hollywood Reporter reported on this development, signaling Tuason’s arrival as a significant voice in the horror genre.
It’s been a popular month for horror. In a week, James Wan’s billion-dollar Saw franchise heads to Netflix. Elsewhere, the latest Scream movie inspired our full rankings of the iconic franchise.