This Filipino filmmaker has found a home in the horror genre, and this year, he’s ready to share his latest spine-chilling brainchild with the world.
We’ve been in the midst of a few notable horror projects lately. From the recent success of YouTuber Markiplier’s Iron Lung to the much-awaited Backrooms film and the sixth installment of Scary Movie, 2026 is already gearing up to be a promising year for the genre, both locally and internationally.
It’s safe to say that even more big-screen frights are underway with the upcoming release of Undertone, the latest spine-chilling tale from A24 by Filipino-Canadian writer-director Ian Tuason.
Photo: Ian Tuason, A24
Before Undertone got picked up by A24—the American production company that’s home to critically acclaimed titles like Hereditary, Midsommar, Past Lives, and Everything Everywhere All at Once—Tuason’s work made a lasting impression at independent film festivals last year. We’ve yet to watch this eerie auditory nightmare ourselves, but that won’t stop us from showing our utmost support and pride for Tuason and his inspiring global accomplishments.
If you’re into intense and suspenseful horror movies that mess with your senses, here’s why you should tune in to Undertone and the rest of Ian Tuason’s evolving body of work:
A Film That Makes Your Skin Crawl Through Sound
Sound is an integral element of Undertone. Some could even argue that it’s the Canadian film’s backbone, as most of its hard-hitting scares come from the unusual noises that viewers will pick up on from start to finish.
Undertone is about Evy (Nina Kiri) and Justin (Adam DiMarco), two hosts of a horror-focused podcast who receive recordings from a married couple that contain paranormal noises and frequencies. Evy explores the seemingly cursed files while assisting her dying mother, eventually having to confront the sinister forces that invade their household.
Evy and her mother are the movie’s focal points, while the rest of the story is fueled by sound design and special effects. This makes Undertone an extra interesting watch, as it strives to instill fear through things that you can’t see outright.
Ian Tuason’s Notable Achievements
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Tuason’s filmmaking and directing journey began with virtual reality (VR) horror shorts that amassed over 14 million views on YouTube. It’s no surprise that his bite-sized film ventures expanded into a growing roster of full-length projects.
Undertone marks Tuason’s major directorial debut. It premiered last year at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Canada and was named a Best Feature winner at the Sundance Film Festival shortly after. Sure enough, the high praise surrounding Undertone helped Tuason land an exciting collaboration with A24 for the movie’s international distribution.
Since its successful premiere, critics have called Undertone:
- “The scariest horror movie since Paranormal Activity” (from Collider Interviews), as well as
- “The scariest movie you’ll ever hear” (from Rotten Tomatoes).
The resounding support for Undertone must have also been a sign from the universe for Tuason. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he’s also set to direct the Paranormal Activity reboot that’s slated for a 2027 release.
We’ve yet to hear about a theatrical release date for Undertone in the Philippines. Still, we can’t help but admire Tuason’s active involvement in the horror genre. He shares the spotlight with his fellow Filipino and part-Filipino trailblazers who’ve recently made an impact in the industry, including:
- Autumn Durald Arkapaw, the Oscar-nominated Director of Photography (DP) of Sinners, who’s also the first woman of color to join the Best Cinematography category,
- Rafael Manuel, director of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival entry Filipiñana, which won the Special Jury Award, and
- Kristine de Leon, whose short film Ali earned a Special Mention at last year’s Cannes Film Festival.
ALSO READ: The #1 Supernatural Horror Film in Taiwan Is Coming to the Philippines
Are you excited to see more of Ian Tuason’s work on the big screen? Let us know in the comments below!
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