Is Undertone woke?

No political or woke messaging whatsoever. Focuses entirely on story, characters, fun, or escapism.

Wokeness Analysis

Undertone (2025) is a supernatural horror film centered on sound design, psychological tension, and a personal story of caregiving and grief. The protagonist Evy is a skeptical paranormal podcaster caring for her dying mother in a Catholic household, receiving anonymous audio recordings of a married couple experiencing paranormal events tied to folklore involving a demon associated with harming children. Reviews and plot descriptions emphasize auditory horror, isolation, skepticism versus belief, and the protagonist's unexpected pregnancy as plot drivers, but these elements serve the supernatural narrative rather than any social or political agenda. The cast features diverse actors in voice roles (including Asian-Canadian performers as the recorded couple), but this appears organic to the story's Canadian setting and does not involve explicit messaging about identity, equity, or progressive themes. Director Ian Tuason drew from personal experiences with parental illness and caregiving, framing the story around traditional family dynamics, faith, and folklore without injecting contemporary ideological commentary. No sources indicate forced diversity, gender politics, racial messaging, or social justice undertones; the film prioritizes immersive horror through audio and imagination. Any inclusion elements feel incidental and integrated without dominating or lecturing viewers. This aligns with pure genre entertainment focused on escapism and dread rather than activism.

Plot

Undertone (2025) is a Canadian supernatural horror film written and directed by Ian Tuason in his feature debut. It follows Evy Babic (Nina Kiri), a skeptical host of a paranormal podcast who returns home to care for her comatose mother. She and her co-host Justin receive anonymous audio recordings from a married couple experiencing disturbing paranormal phenomena in their home, linked to ancient folklore and a demon. As Evy listens, events blur into her reality, challenging her skepticism amid personal struggles including an unexpected pregnancy. The film is notable for its minimalist approach: only Evy and her mother appear on screen, with all other characters heard via voices, relying heavily on sound design for tension. It premiered at Fantasia in 2025 and received a U.S. theatrical release via A24 in March 2026.