A24's latest horror film, 'undertone', is poised to be the scariest movie of 2026, according to early Sundance Film Festival buzz. Fear, a highly subjective experience, is often best harnessed by the mind's own mechanisms. This is why many renowned horror filmmakers employ various techniques to manipulate our perceptions and fears. While some directors make the horrors in their films tangible, others prefer to keep the threats off-screen, allowing the audience's own fears to fill in the blanks. Two notable examples are 'The Blair Witch Project' and 'Paranormal Activity', which utilized the found footage technique to create such realism that some viewers believed they were witnessing real events. 'undertone', directed by Ian Tuason, takes a unique approach by focusing on the auditory experience, making it not just the scariest film at Sundance 2026 but also a standout in the horror genre. The film's success lies in its clever use of sound and image, creating a spellbinding narrative. Set in Tuason's native Canada, the story follows Evy, a young woman caring for her comatose mother, and her friend Justin, who co-hosts a podcast called 'The Undertone'. Justin, a supernatural believer, and Evy, a skeptic, exchange stories and evidence of the unexplained, often with intriguing results. The film's strength lies in its ability to create fear through sound, a technique reminiscent of great found footage horror movies. Tuason and sound designer David Gertsman craft extraordinary aural set pieces, using the setup of Jessa and Mike, a newlywed couple plagued by mysterious sounds, to deliver chilling experiences. The director's decision to include visual elements adds depth and tangibility to the horror, making it more than just an audio-only experience. 'undertone' explores universal sources of fear, blending supernatural lore with real-life myths and the concept of backmasking. The emotional depth of the film, inspired by Tuason's personal experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, adds a layer of authenticity that is genuinely upsetting. Nina Kiri's performance as Evy is both effortless and challenging, carrying the film with remarkable skill. 'undertone' is a must-watch for horror enthusiasts, offering a unique blend of scares and emotional depth, and it's set to be a standout in the 2026 horror landscape.
