Undertone is a Canadian supernatural horror thriller movie, released on 13 March 2026 starring Nina Kiri as Evy Babic, the host of a popular paranormal podcast, alongside Adam DiMarco as her co-host Justin, Michèle Duquet as her mother, Keana Lyn Bastidas, and Jeff Yung in supporting roles. Written and directed by Ian Tuason in his feature debut, the film follows Evy as she returns to her childhood home to care for her dying mother and begins receiving mysterious audio recordings that start invading her reality through unsettling sound design.
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The movie was released by A24 in over 2,570 theatres across North America. On its opening day, Friday 13 March 2026, it collected $4.30 million, benefiting from the Friday the 13th date and strong pre-release buzz. The film has continued to hold impressively in its second week thanks to excellent word-of-mouth and its innovative use of sound as a primary source of terror. By the end of Day 11 on 23 March 2026, the cumulative US gross stood at $14.93 million, with worldwide collections reaching $20.6 million.
For a micro-budget horror film, this performance is extraordinary, representing one of the best return-on-investment stories of 2026 so far. The film’s innovative audio-focused horror has sparked intense discussions on social media, particularly among horror fans who praise its immersive sound design and slow-burn dread.
Undertone 2026 Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Undertone |
| Directed by | Ian Tuason |
| Written by | Ian Tuason |
| Produced by | Dan Slater, Cody Calahan |
| Actor | Adam DiMarco |
| Actress | Nina Kiri |
| Other Cast | Michèle Duquet, Keana Lyn Bastidas, Jeff Yung, Ryan Turner |
| Cinematography | Graham Beasley |
| Edited by | Sonny Atkins |
| Music by | Shanika Lewis-Waddell |
| Production Companies | Black Fawn Films, Kino, Slaterverse Pictures |
| Distributed by | A24 (US), VVS Films (Canada) |
| Release Date | 13 March 2026 |
| Running Time | 94 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Film Industry | Hollywood |
| Genre | Horror, Mystery, Thriller |
| Censor Rating | R |
Undertone Box Office Collection
| Day | Date | US Collection Gross (Millions) | Fluctuation (%+/-) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | March 13, 2026 | $4.30 Millions | (Opening Day) |
| Day 2 | March 14, 2026 | $2.95 Millions | -31% |
| Day 3 | March 15, 2026 | $2.05 Millions | -31% |
| Day 4 | March 16, 2026 | $0.85 Millions | -59% |
| Day 5 | March 17, 2026 | $0.72 Millions | -15% |
| Day 6 | March 18, 2026 | $0.68 Millions | -6% |
| Day 7 | March 19, 2026 | $0.65 Millions | -4% |
| Day 8 | March 20, 2026 | $1.45 Millions | +123% |
| Day 9 | March 21, 2026 | $1.65 Millions | +14% |
| Day 10 | March 22, 2026 | $1.10 Millions | -33% |
| Day 11 | March 23, 2026 | $0.58 Millions | -47% |
| Day 12 | March 24, 2026 | $0.40 Millions | -31% |
| Day 13 | March 25, 2026 | $0.28 Millions | -30% |
| Day 14 | March 26, 2026 | $0.32 Millions | +14% |
| Day 15 | March 27, 2026 | $0.95 Millions | +197% |
| Day 16 | March 28, 2026 | $1.05 Millions | +10% |
| Day 17 | March 29, 2026 | $0.65 Millions | -38% |
| Total US Gross | – | $18.58 Millions | – |
| Total Worldwide Gross | – | $25.8 Millions | – |
Undertone is a Hit or Flop
Verdict: Blockbuster
What is the budget of Undertone
The budget is around $0.5 Millions
Undertone Ott release date
- OTT Platform: Major VOD and streaming platforms and OTT date: TBA
Our Review
Undertone marks a stunning directorial debut for Ian Tuason, proving that true terror can be born from sound alone in an era of visual overload. The film locks viewers into the perspective of Evy (Nina Kiri, delivering a raw, committed performance), a skeptical paranormal podcaster forced home to care for her comatose mother. When mysterious audio files arrive from a haunted couple, the story unfolds almost entirely through headphones and chilling sound design that makes every creak, whisper, and distant scream feel intimately personal.
This audio-centric approach—enhanced by Dolby Atmos in theaters—creates an immersive nightmare far scarier than most visual-heavy horrors, evoking classics like The Blair Witch Project while feeling entirely fresh. Kiri’s grounded portrayal anchors the escalating paranoia, with strong support from the voice cast and Michèle Duquet’s haunting presence as the silent mother. Box office collections on opening day reflect explosive interest for this micro-budget A24 release.
With an estimated $2.45 million domestically from its wide 2,570-theater footprint, Undertone is already on pace for a $7+ million opening weekend—potentially 14x its $0.5 million budget in the first three days alone. This efficient model mirrors recent A24 successes that leveraged strong reviews and theatrical exclusivity for maximum returns. Compared to fellow audio-driven horrors or podcast thrillers, Undertone excels through its intimate scale and refusal to rely on cheap jump scares, instead building dread through what you don’t see.
In summary, Undertone emerges as one of the most inventive and terrifying horror films of 2026, using its minimalist approach and extraordinary sound design to deliver maximum impact on the big screen. Its exploration of grief, isolation, and the power of suggestion resonates deeply, making it essential viewing in theaters before any home experience can match the intensity. While unlikely to reach blockbuster scale, projections point to a lifetime domestic gross near $32 million and worldwide earnings approaching $48 million, driven by word-of-mouth and its reputation as “the scariest movie you’ll ever hear.”
This is smart, resourceful filmmaking that reminds audiences why horror thrives in cinemas—proving once again that A24 knows exactly how to turn tiny budgets into massive cultural moments. Early indicators suggest a genuine hit that will spark conversations and repeated theatrical visits.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plot of Undertone?
Undertone follows a paranormal podcast host who moves back home to care for her dying mother and starts receiving terrifying mysterious recordings that blur reality.
Is Undertone based on a true story?
No, it is a fictional horror film inspired by audio-based scares and podcast culture.
Who plays Evy in Undertone?
Nina Kiri plays the lead role of Evy Babic.
When will Undertone be available on streaming?
It is expected on major VOD and streaming platforms a few months after its theatrical release.
How does Undertone compare to other horror movies?
It stands out as “the scariest movie you’ll ever hear,” using sound design as the main weapon like Paranormal Activity but with deeper personal and family drama.
Disclaimer:
- Box office figures in this article are independently estimated by Tenvow based on an internal tracking methodology that evaluates theatre occupancy trends, distributor feedback, and regional trade indicators.
- The data reflects industry estimates available at the time of publication and may vary slightly from officially reported or audited figures released later.
- These figures should be considered preliminary and indicative, not official confirmations.
- Tenvow does not guarantee absolute accuracy of the data and presents it solely for informational purposes.
- All financial figures are stated in United States dollars (USD) and represented in millions, unless specified otherwise.
- All dates and times mentioned follow Eastern Standard Time (EST) (UTC-5)
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