Lately, Hollywood has seen a rise in genuinely scary horror films, and the latest, Undertone, takes a particularly innovative approach by focusing on sound. This debut film from Canadian director Ian Tuason has been well-received by critics and tells the story of a young woman haunted by a series of cursed audio files she features on her podcast about the paranormal. Unlike typical horror movies that rely on sudden scares or frightening creatures, Undertone uses sound, silence, and darkness to build a truly unique and unsettling atmosphere of fear.
Despite a small $500,000 budget, the film Undertone caught the eye of A24, a major distributor, and is expected to be very profitable. This success is a significant achievement for director and writer Nico Tuason, who filmed the entire movie in his childhood home. Tuason’s impressive debut has led to a deal with Paramount and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster to take on a well-known horror franchise that has been popular for two decades.
The Subtlety and Restraint of ‘Undertone’ Proves Ian Tuason Will Succeed With ‘Paranormal Activity’
A24
What makes Undertone different from most horror movies is the director’s remarkable self-control. Throughout the film, Tuason repeatedly avoided typical horror tactics like jump scares or shocking visuals. Instead, he relied on sound and shadows – both within the sounds Evey hears and in the setting of her mother’s house – to create a genuinely unsettling atmosphere and allow the audience to build their own fear.
Tuason is a perfect choice to direct the next Paranormal Activity film because he excels at creating suspense through suggestion rather than explicit visuals. He lets the audience’s imagination do the work, building fear from what they think might be happening. Working alongside the franchise’s creators—James Wan, Jason Blum, and Oren Peli—Tuason’s talent for using understated lighting and sound effects perfectly captures the atmosphere that made the original Paranormal Activity films so effective.
The challenges he overcame while working with a small $500,000 budget show why he’s committed to continuing with the series. The first film only cost around $15,000 to make, but it became a landmark achievement in horror, and that realistic, low-budget feel is key to recreating the success of Paranormal Activity.
‘Paranormal Activity’ Is Ripe for a Successful Reboot
Paramount
The first Paranormal Activity film was a huge success, and the franchise has consistently been profitable. The original movie earned over $107 million despite being made on a very small budget. Although subsequent films cost more to produce, they still generated far more revenue than their production costs. The six Paranormal Activity movies released in theaters collectively cost $28 million to make, but earned over $891 million worldwide.
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Given that the last Paranormal Activity film, The Ghost Dimension, was poorly received and unsuccessful in 2015, audiences are likely ready for a fresh start. With a new movie planned for 2027, there’s ample time for viewers to feel nostalgic for the earlier, popular films and forget the disappointment of the last one. The director’s previous work suggests he’ll simplify the complex storyline and refocus on the original, more effective elements of the franchise, which could lead to a successful reboot.
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2026-03-23 00:32