A new horror film from A24, titled "Undertone," draws heavily from the online phenomenon of creepypasta, immersing its audience in a narrative familiar to those who have explored or contributed to these internet forums. The plot revolves around a cryptic collection of audio recordings that unveil a disturbing tale, inadvertently drawing podcasters Evy and Justin into an encounter with a malevolent supernatural presence. The film incorporates classic creepypasta elements such as an unsettling doll, a cursed viral video, eerie stick-figure illustrations, and a mysterious figurine that appears unexpectedly. Much of the action unfolds in the early hours of the morning, capturing the disorienting, liminal atmosphere characteristic of creepypasta lore. Furthermore, the supernatural antagonist is inspired by ancient mythological figures, adding a layer of depth to the internet-age horror.
Director and writer Ian Tuason confirms that "Undertone" is fundamentally a creepypasta film, emphasizing that the podcast featured within the movie and the mysterious audio files are all rooted in this form of digital media. Tuason, a viral VR filmmaker who is also slated to reboot the "Paranormal Activity" franchise, notes that the movie was intentionally constructed upon the foundations of creepypasta. This aligns with a growing trend in horror cinema, where filmmakers who are genuinely connected to the creepypasta community are translating its unsettling late-night obsessions and feelings of uncertainty to the big screen, a stark contrast to earlier studio attempts that often failed to capture the genre's essence.
Tuason, a self-proclaimed early adopter and fan of creepypasta, recounts being captivated by the original Slenderman imagery and contributing his own lore to online discussions. His experience with the incremental storytelling style of creepypasta led him to write a novel, "The Online Profile of a Serial Killer," which garnered significant attention on Wattpad. This background deeply informed his approach to "Undertone," where he aimed to create a horror experience that could genuinely unnerve even him. The film's unique ability to intertwine everyday occurrences, like bumps in the night, with terrifying supernatural entities makes the horror feel more tangible and unsettling, tapping into the human tendency to imagine the worst when confronted with unexplained phenomena.
This film is a compelling exploration of how modern digital folklore can be transformed into a potent cinematic experience. By grounding its horror in the relatable, often unsettling, aspects of internet culture and personal trauma, "Undertone" showcases the evolving nature of fear and storytelling in the digital age. It reminds us that sometimes, the most profound terrors are those that blur the lines between the mundane and the supernatural, prompting audiences to confront their own anxieties about the unknown and the implications of engaging with dark online narratives.
