The name of the film is based on the title of the podcast, The Undertone. When it comes to \ talking about deep and creepy subjects, there are always questions related to what is subjective or just a theory. There is also the dilemma of how much a given subject truly entices its audience. Undertone dazzled and shocked me. The feeling of solitude finds new meaning given someone’s quest to find an audience via a podcast. What is not seen is repeatedly heard, and it continues to grow. Written and directed by Ian Tuason, it the journey of a podcast that dives intoelements of horror that shock and awe in the context of a surreal surprise.

The film’s main characters are Evy (Nina Kiri) and Justin (Adam DiMarco). The audience only sees Evy, but they hear Justin when she talks with him on the podcast. They run The Undertone and discuss all kinds of scary subjects. Many of these topics deal with terror and various aspects of symbolism. This is the case until they receive audio files that only serve to terrorize them. The podcast keeps hitting pauses and rescheduling because the audio files are a lot to handle. Evy even feels sound effects rumble in the home where she lives and cares for her dying mother. The podcast and taking care of her mom are Evy’s primary areas of focus.

What is breathtaking about the film is how the setting is in such tight places. The direction of the film is successful at intensifying the horror in the way it combines psychological aspects with realism. For example, echoes are repeated during moments of the podcast. While this invigorates audiences’ minds, it is also a sign that something is bound to go wrong with the podcast. The moving parts of the recordings signal that The Undertone is beginning to have a significant impact on both Evy and Justin. The audience sees and hears the impact on Evy butonly hears Justin. That makes Evy the primary focus.

Undertone delivers a sense of paranormal terror that is hard to dismiss. Audiences will begin to realize that Evy has other problems besides her mother. The podcast and the audio tapes clearly send evil spirits into her life. Overcoming them may be impossible, but does it mean she should continue the podcast with Justin? The level of anxiety that boils throughout Undertone is intense. The film’s creative approach is brilliant and left me feeling dazzled. Of course, I was scared, but also in a new and oddly invigorating way. The world of podcasting may pose inherent dangers, but the outside world has dangerous aspects that combine for untold treasures to unfold.

The movie is haunting and spellbinding. The dynamic is mind-blowing and anxiety-provoking. The layers of realism evolve in a rising style. Undertone is one of the most exhilarating and psychological terror films that I have experienced. At timessmall parts feel predictable, but almost overall the film comes close to delivering a knockout. Three out of four stars.