Toronto Filmmaker Ian Tuason Turns Personal Grief into Horror Film 'Undertone'
While caring for his dying parents in their north Toronto home, filmmaker Ian Tuason found an unexpected outlet for his grief: the world of horror. The writer-director immersed himself in "creepypasta" stories—user-generated paranormal urban legends circulating on internet forums like Reddit—which sparked the idea for his new film Undertone.
From Creepypasta to Cinema
"Creepypastas were the only things that scared me," Tuason revealed in an interview. "The last movie that truly frightened me was Paranormal Activity, and that was twenty years ago." This admission highlights the director's journey from consuming online horror content to creating his own cinematic nightmare.
In Undertone, which is currently playing in theatres, actress Nina Kiri (known for The Handmaid's Tale) portrays a character caring for her dying mother in her childhood home. By night, she co-hosts a podcast about "all things creepy" with her London-based friend Justin, voiced by Adam DiMarco from White Lotus.
The Premise That Terrifies
The film's central horror emerges when the podcasters receive ten mysterious audio files documenting the unraveling of a pregnant couple's paranormal experiences. As they investigate the phenomenon of audio apophenia—the tendency to perceive meaningful patterns in random sounds—they begin hearing horrific hidden messages within familiar children's lullabies.
Everything in the film's eerie recordings is based on reality, according to Tuason. This includes the dark theory that the nursery rhyme "London Bridge Is Falling Down" originated as an ode to human sacrifice. "That's all online," Tuason confirmed. "All the songs in the movie are actual public domain recordings that are simply reversed, not manipulated. Any hidden messages audiences hear are genuinely present in the original audio."
Personal Spaces Become Film Sets
Tuason opened his family home for the film's production, creating an authentic yet unsettling atmosphere. "Being in this house, I had my own safe space in the bedroom upstairs, which is Ian's childhood bedroom," Kiri shared. "Ian mentioned he'd had a supernatural experience in that very room, but I asked him to stop telling me. I needed to maintain sound mental health while making this movie."
The director cited Ari Aster's 2018 horror masterpiece Hereditary as a significant inspiration. "I admired the craftsmanship and cinematic quality of that film," Tuason explained. "So I aimed to combine the visceral fear I experienced from Creepypastas with similarly polished filmmaking."
Supernatural Occurrences on Set
Eerie coincidences began even before filming commenced. "Events depicted in the film happened on set to varying degrees," Tuason revealed. "The lights were already flickering when people arrived." This prompted the production team to take precautions—a priest blessed the set, and cast members received protective amulets.
"He gave us crystals at the beginning," Kiri confirmed. "So we were all protected in that manner."
Independent Success Catches Hollywood's Eye
Shot entirely in Canada with an all-Canadian cast on a modest budget, Undertone premiered to acclaim at Montreal's Fantasia International Film Festival. This success attracted Hollywood attention, with prestigious distributor A24 acquiring the film's rights for a reported mid-seven-figure sum.
Tuason, who began his career in virtual reality and horror shorts that garnered millions of YouTube views, described the acquisition as "validation." He emphasized, "This demonstrates that filmmakers can create compelling work independently in Canada without relying solely on public financing systems. I hope this inspires more young creators to pursue their visions."
From Indie Horror to Franchise Reboot
The film's success has propelled Tuason's career forward significantly. Following the competitive bidding war for Undertone, he was tapped in December to reboot the found-footage Paranormal Activity franchise. The original 2007 film, made for just $15,000, grossed over $194 million worldwide and spawned six sequels.
"Longtime fans can anticipate numerous Easter eggs building toward a major reveal specifically designed for them," Tuason teased about his upcoming project.
Undertone represents a personal and professional triumph for Tuason, transforming profound personal loss into cinematic terror that has resonated with both audiences and industry professionals alike.
