undertone - review
July 14, 2026rating: 2/10
One line review: main character runs a true crime podcast and realizes crime is true.
You’d think a podcast movie would have stunning sound design… you’d think.
Especially when there’s 2 actors, one set, and they STILL spent 500k ??? I don’t know. I definitely don’t understand everything a movie costs but I know that 500k should’ve given us more than THIS
The buildup for the first 30 minutes was good. a set up of horror w the podcast and haunted tapes, personal turmoil with the main character and her mom, and some interesting camera angles to show that the limited set is meant for feeling cramped and trapped.
I kept expecting the perspective to switch to her co-host and see all the wild shit he’s dealing with as well, reaffirming that the tapes are cursed.
But no. it’s just another game of
“is it all in her head as she processes repressed feelings of resentment against her mom, and fear of continuing generational trauma? Or is she actually being preyed upon by demons?”
And honestly, id prefer the second option. Sorry not sorry.
it’s not a bad story or one that I don’t think is impactful. But I guess it feels like ive been watching a lot of horror movies where the monster is just a manifestation of internal demons, or it’s just left ambiguous for the whole film so someone can make a “it’s all in their mind” theory after.
Granted the other end is having everyone be the worst person in the world a la “Ready or Not”
The podcast setup needs to be acknowledged though. I never want to listen to this podcast. Like is she actually a skeptic or it’s just a character then? She obviously is unnerved about the whole situation but continues to say NOTHING to her alleged close friend.
I don’t know… I just didn’t think there was enough escalation in the middle of the film to justify the end. She comes back from a party and her mom is just on the floor,,, what does that mean? It’s just constant ideas of failed motherhood and daughterhood I guess?
I will say, when the camera did move in dynamic ways, I loved it. There’s a shot when the camera rushes from the mother’s room upstairs to where Evy is sitting at the table and it’s very unsettling and creates that “edge of my seat” feeling.
But that’s where it began and ended. I had hoped to be at least spooked by this movie but it ended with ear blasting screams and her mom attacking her??? Allegedly?
but yeah. until next time
amber :)