There aren't many things more popular in 2026 than podcasts and horror films – and A24 (among many new upcoming movies in 2026) is combining both into a brand new film called Undertone – a psychological horror thriller that transforms the booming world of paranormal podcasts into a source of mounting dread.

We've just had a first-look trailer drop and a US release date announced, so here's everything we know so far about the upcoming film.

Watch the trailer

What's the film about?

The film follows Evy, a skeptical podcast host who returns to her childhood home to care for her dying mother. Seeking solitude, she instead finds herself consumed by a chilling mystery when her co-host sends her a collection of strange audio recordings submitted by an anonymous couple. As Evy studies the files for her show, the sounds begin to change – growing more invasive, more personal, and increasingly sinister. What begins as research slowly mutates into a waking nightmare.

What makes it so scary?

Unlike traditional horror films that rely on visual shocks, Undertone builds fear through sound. The story revolves around ten cryptic audio files said to document a haunting, pushing both Evy and the audience to listen closely for hidden meanings.

Director Ian Tuason leans heavily into sound design, silence, and distortion, creating an atmosphere where even the faintest noise feels threatening. This sensory-first approach reflects the modern obsession with true-crime and paranormal podcasts, asking what happens when curiosity crosses into something dangerous.

Who's in the cast?

The film stars Nina Kiri (best known for her role in The Handmaid's Tale) as Evy, anchoring the story with a grounded performance that gradually unravels as fear takes hold. Evy’s co-host Justin is voiced by Adam DiMarco (who you may recognise from The White Lotus and Overcompensating).

The supporting cast includes Michèle Duquet, Keana Lyn Bastidas, and Jeff Yung. Notably, much of the ensemble appears only through voice recordings, heightening the film’s claustrophobic tone and emphasizing how unseen forces can feel more terrifying than anything shown on screen.

Who is the director?

This is the first feature-length debut of Ian Tuason, a Toronto-based filmmaker previously known for live-action virtual reality horror shorts that garnered millions of views online. His background in immersive storytelling is evident in the film’s experimental structure and emphasis on sound as a narrative weapon. The movie premiered at the Fantasia International Film Festival, where it generated strong buzz before being acquired by A24.

When will it be released?

It's scheduled to hit theatres in the USA on 13 March 2026.