A24 has unveiled the official trailer for Undertone, an unsettling new horror thriller that taps into the growing fear of unseen forces and unheard voices. Led by The Handmaid’s Tale standout Nina Kiri, the film centers on a paranormal podcast host whose curiosity turns catastrophic after she listens to a series of terrifying audio recordings mysteriously sent to her show.
Ahead of the full trailer release, A24 primed audiences with an eerie teaser featuring distorted children’s drawings accompanied by chilling sound design. Signaling that Undertone would lean heavily into psychological tension and auditory terror. That atmosphere is fully realized in the newly released trailer, which teases a slow-burning birth into fear driven not by what’s seen, but by what’s heard.
Following its world premiere at the 2025 Fantasia Film Festival, Undertone is officially slated for a theatrical release on March 13th, 2026. The film’s minimalist premise is summarized succinctly in its haunting synopsis: “The host of a popular paranormal podcast becomes haunted by terrifying recordings mysteriously sent her way”. What unfolds from that simple setup is a deeply immersive experience that plays on isolation, obsession, and the vulnerability of listening too closely.
Written and directed by Canadian filmmaker Ian Tuason in his feature directorial debut, Undertone is a bold creative swing. Nina Kiri is the only actor to appear on screen throughout the film, anchoring the narrative almost entirely through performance and reaction. The rest of the cast exists solely through voice—an intentional choice that amplifies the film’s tension and reinforces its audio-driven storytelling. Lending their voices are Kris Holden-Ried (The Umbrella Academy) as Justin, Michèle Duquet (The Virgin Suicides) as Mama, Keana Lyn Bastidas (The Hardy Boys) as Jessa, Jeff Yung (The Shrouds) as Mike, and additional contributors who help construct the film’s unnerving soundscape.
Behind the scenes, Undertone boasts an impressive production pedigree. A24 acquired the worldwide rights following a competitive bidding war, reportedly securing the project for a mid-seven-figure deal—an unmistakable vote of confidence in the film’s potential. The movie is executive-produced by genre heavyweight Steven Schneider and Roy Lee for Spooky Pictures, alongside Chad Archibald for Black Fawn Films, Brit MacRae and Daril Fannin for Kino Studios, and DimensionGate. Producers include Dan Slater of Slaterverse Pictures and Cody Calahan of Black Fawn Films, further solidifying the film’s roots in elevated, creator-driven horror.
With its singular performance, innovative use of sound, and A24’s unmistakable stamp of prestige, Undertone positions itself as a chilling evolution of modern horror—one that proves terror doesn’t need to be seen to be deeply felt. When the film arrives in theaters next spring, audiences may find themselves listening a little more carefully… and sleeping a little less soundly. With that being said, keep your ears peeled as Undertone opens in theaters March 13, 2026.