Toronto director's worst fears were realized. He channelled his grief into 'Undertone'

This image released by A24 shows director Ian Tuason, left, and Nina Kiri on the set of "Undertone." (Dustin Rabin/A24 via AP)

TORONTO — A new A24 horror film that’s attracted social media buzz and is being released internationally this weekend was inspired by a Toronto filmmaker’s own fears and personal loss.

Ian Tuason’s “Undertone” stars “The Handmaid’s Tale” actress Nina Kiri as a woman who’s haunted by disturbing audio sent by her paranormal podcast co-host, played by “White Lotus” star Adam DiMarco.

Tuason shot “Undertone” at his family home in Rexdale, a west-end Toronto suburb, where he cared for his ailing parents, who both died.

He says the grief and loss changed the way he interacted with people around him, but also instilled confidence in his film.

He believes “Undertone” will resonate because of the way it taps into people’s anxieties.

“I was drawing from my personal fears, putting it into the script. And I think a lot of people share those fears. Either they went through it or they’re afraid of going through it one day. And I’m glad it worked,” he said during an interview at the home where the film was shot, and that he owns.

He says the process allowed him to shake his own angst.

“I lost the two people I cared about the most. And once that happened, I didn’t really care about anyone and what they thought, genuinely. And because of that I just say whatever I want.”

-With files from Alex Nino Gheciu and Fatima Raza

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 13, 2025.