Filmmaker's Grief Fuels New Indie Horror

Filmmaker Ian Tuason's debut feature, 'Undertone,' is set for a March theatrical release by A24, following its acclaimed premieres at Fantasia and Sundance. The film is noted for its terrifying, immersive sound design and has been called profoundly scary by critics.

Tuason revealed that 'Undertone' is deeply personal, stemming from his experiences caring for his parents after their terminal cancer diagnoses in early 2020. The pandemic made hospital care difficult, prompting Tuason to move back to his childhood home in Rexdale, Toronto, to provide care.

During his parents' illness and eventual deaths, Tuason drew inspiration from creepypasta and his childhood fear of 'The Exorcist.' He transformed his earlier radio play concept into the script for 'Undertone,' exploring the trauma and fear he witnessed and experienced.

The film, shot in the Rexdale home where Tuason cared for his parents, stars Nina Kiri as Evy, a paranormal podcaster who returns home to care for her mother. Evy listens to recordings of a couple experiencing a haunting, making the single-location setting particularly resonant for Tuason.

Actress Nina Kiri described the filming environment as "sacred" and "free," emphasizing Tuason's vulnerability in sharing his home and story. This openness created a desire among the cast and crew to honor every detail of his deeply personal narrative, making the production a special experience.