Hello reddit. I'm Ian, writer-director of undertone. It stars Nina Kiri & Adam DiMarco and it's in theaters everywhere now via A24. Here to answer your questions.
Here's our trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6uDeBYDHu4
Synopsis:
A podcast host covering spooky content moves in to care for her dying mother. When sent recordings of a pregnant couple's paranormal encounters, she discovers their story parallels hers, each tape pushing her toward madness.
Back at around 3-4 PM ET today to answer questions.
AMA!
by undertoneAMA
37 Comments
yo this sounds wild. excited to see how you blend horror with that personal struggle—what inspired the story?
Haven’t seen undertone yet but plan to today or tomorrow.
But with you announced as directing the new PA movie, did BLUMHOUSE come to you for this or did you have a pitch or idea for the franchise?
Also, how closely are you working with James Wan on this?
What is ur fave 70s horror movie?
I’m curious as to what horror movies shed inspiration ? I saw a little bit of the ring in there.
Hi, I noticed in the special thanks Mitch got thanked, was it just due to his involvement with Fantasia, or was there more to it?
Do you have a screenshot of everyone in that list, anyone else you want to specially mention from it (but haven’t got the time to do so elsewhere)?
Hey! Anything fun to share about your Paranormal Activity movie? Loved Undertone and i’m so excited to see what’s next
Why no screening for malaysia
Undertone relies on the viewer’s imagination to generate tension and fear. As opposed to using jump scares and constantly showing the audience the “scary” thing. IMHO, yours is the most effective type of horror. Did any other horror movies inspire you to take this approach? Or did it just come out that way naturally?
Hi 👋
What’s one filmmaking ‘rule’ you’ve learned is actually okay to break?
Hello! I was wondering how the rise of true crime culture influenced this film. When watching it, it seemed a bit like it was punishing the characters for their infatuation and obsession with these tragedies, which I thought was perhaps an interesting critique of true crime obsession. Did true crime play in any part in your creation of the film?
Hi Ian! while watching the film this past week, I couldn’t help but think about the BBC special Ghostwatch. (I don’t want to mention too much of why without spoilers for folks who haven’t seen it yet.)
I know this was a personal film for you in a lot of ways, based on interviews I’ve read, but I was curious if this was a reference for you at all while translating this personal story into the film we see on screen, or if some of the small similarities are just coincidence. Thanks!
Cheers! Absolutely loved the movie!
I saw it in theaters without closed captions, I’m curious how much you stressed out the accessibility team trying to write the subtitles for this film and I’m curious how it’ll look! lol
When focusing on audio as a large source of the movies horror rather than visual, did you have a tougher time crafting horror through audio than you would typically have through visuals? Obviously it is less expensive to engineer fear through audio because you lean on the audiences imagination to create their own terrifying visuals, but is there more or less thought that goes into audio horror than visual horror.
I just want to know what made you love movies, and how did you become a director?
oh wow that’s awesome i love a24 stuff
Loved it!
My question is what made you decide want to tackle the paranormal activity franchise? Is it more of a remake or are is it a continuation of the previous lore?
Just saw it last night! As someone who grew up in a very religious household there’s so many scriptures and bible references throughout the film and Eva’s childhood home, my question is were you drawing from your own sort of religious trauma?
A24 and psychological horror is a combo that usually results in me not sleeping for a week, so i’m already sold. the soundwave visual on the poster is a great touch so I am really hoping the sound design is immersive enough to make the theater feel as claustrophobic as the synopsis sounds.
Hey Ian! Apologies I don’t have a question, but just wanted to say I saw Undertone last weekend, and I absolutely loved it. Checked all my personal boxes for a great horror movie. Good job!
Who were directors that influenced you when making this film?
Any plans for Untertone 2?
How do you approach mixing audio to clearly distinguish between environmental sound and audio coming through her headphones? Any thought about having different audio mix options for speakers vs headphones on the home release?
Absolutely loved the movie! Can’t wait until it releases on Blu-ray! What was the hardest part about writing such an audio centric film?
With this movie focusing heavily on the auditory aspects/ sound design, which were freaky as hell in the theatre, is there any special approach one should take when Undertone becomes available for at-home viewing?
It seems like you did a lot of research on origin stories and demonology(I think that’s a word), what was the most interesting thing you found in the process of writing?
Saw it in a Dolby theater– awesome experience! How involved were you in the Dolby surround mixing? Does format matter for your personal viewing tastes?
Also, I thought the podcast premise and limited set/visual elements was a very strong choice for psychological horror. This forces the fear to play out in your head as something you experience rather than something you view as a spectator/voyeur. Would you consider releasing Undertone as an audio-only radio play or podcast format? Would love to see a revival of the genre as a fan of early Orson Welles.
Hello! I enjoyed the movie and use of sound throughout the film. Did you consider various noises both natural/generated when deciding on the supernatural aspect of it? Was there an animal, sound bite, or favorite nursery rhyme that inspired this. What’s your comfort horror move? Thank you! Looking forward to your next work.
Hi Ian! In a year that’s already had a lot of good horror, this is certainly a highlight for me. Watching this movie in terms of the overall feel, it felt like it travelled through time from the late 60s/early 70s and possessed a movie about modern technology. What’s your favorite movie from that period that you think makes a good companion to Undertone for a Halloween double feature?
If you were an animal, which one would it be?
The use of religious symbolism was heavy throughout the film. Was there anything you think viewers missed ?
Love the film, I’ve seen it twice! Are there any films in particular you see as influences on undertone? Or films you would recommend watching before seeing undertone?
Hey Ian! I used to read a lot of creepy pastas when I was younger. Did any specific ones inspire some of the movie?
First off, loved undertone and saw three times already. I’m a big fan of liminal horror and I think you hit the ball out of the park. Any word on when you might start filming the sequel and if a second movie might focus on the couple who made the recordings? Can’t wait to see what you do with the new Paranormal Activity.
Can I borrow $50 for gas?
Hey Ian saw the movie a couple days ago and was beyond terrified. Where did you come up with the idea?
Does the movie have a specific message about abortion?