Undertone - Comments & Tips
This film is an absolute masterclass in psychological horror, delivering a chilling experience that lingers long after the credits roll. While it may not satisfy those seeking a traditional slasher with gore, it excels in crafting a slow-burning narrative that envelops the audience in a pervasive sense of paranoia, complemented by hauntingly eerie soundscapes. The storytelling is refreshingly unique, making this a must-watch for those who appreciate a more cerebral approach to the genre. A true gem for horror aficionados.
Slow paced, but really great at building a tense atmosphere through camera angles, lighting, and sound. I think the story could have benefited from being a short film instead of a full length release. There were a lot of ideas that linked into the larger plot, but most of them were not fully expanded on so they felt less like connections and more like cool little details. Overall not for me
Had high hopes but undertone was underwhelming in its climax. Applaud the sound though
Camp fire stories with friends is what this was like only worse. Fare warning this movie is a steamy pile of💩
Undertone is an interesting movie to think about for me. On the one hand it’s a decent horror film. It creates a creepy atmosphere and definitely has strong spooky vibes. But on the other hand it has undertones of anti-abortion themes that I definitely don’t agree with. It’s possible I’m misinterpreting what they’re trying to say with this movie but if I am completely understanding what it’s about hinders my enjoyment of the overall package. Would Not Recommend
Imagine watching a video from one of those podcasts that don't need a video version, because nothing is happening and people are just sitting there. That is exactly what you will see in this movie. If you really want to watch a movie in this stile, just watch Monolith from 2023, which while not perfect, is still much better than this one.
B: 6/10. I thought it was good with the eerie-ness and the manipulation of sound to make things scarier, but was expecting way more. I know it’s low budget that’s why it all probably took place in one room, but that just got a bit boring at times. They didn’t show us the nurse for the mom, or the guy Justin. The movie was all the main actress so props to her. Typical A24 ending left me with a lackluster black screen and took the score from a 7/10 Down to a 6. S: 6/10 it wasn’t much of scary movie tbh??? Idk if I would say that the storyline was there either ??? I wish there was more to it than what we were given. I wasn’t into staring at black screens in parts of the movie I kept thinking I wasn’t seeing what I was supposed to be seeing but nope it was just a black screen ?? Like Brendon said A24 movies always feel lackluster for the ending.
Some good atmosphere and seemingly a great build up to essentially a Conjuring movie? Mostly effective and sometimes contrived but with palpable dread. My take is that this would be much better as a short film. She gets what she deserves because based on what the movie tells me, Justin was stuck with all the podcast editing.
3 Thoughts After Completing ‘undertone’: 1. I was gonna rate this a little lower, but my brain has been dissecting it ever since leaving the theater, and I ultimately felt it deserved more. And I think that’s because I found it to be incredibly aware of all that unnerves us… playing with our senses… knowing that we’ll be looking — and waiting — for something to appear in the vast, unfocused spaces behind our main character. The ending was a testament to that. I was uncomfortable. 2. I found the pacing in the beginning to be almost unbearable. If I had to watch her wash dishes, stare at wall art, or have her postpone her podcast recording ONE more time… I WOULD have rated this lower. 3. I wish the plot could have honed in on a bit more purpose. I don’t mind ambiguous endings, but I don’t want creepy nonsense for creepy sake. And I felt like there was a little bit of that.
[Fantasia '25] The director's choice to place the protagonist as the only character we actually see and hear—her mother is almost always unconscious and we only hear Justin through the podcast recording—allows for a more intimate identification that contributes to a greater sense of unease. It's a slow-paced horror film, as it presents its elements and the atmosphere it seeks to establish, and develops the horror through sound. The modesty of the elements works in its favor, achieving an atmosphere that becomes increasingly disturbing in an increasingly threatening, intimate space.