A24’s Undertone is the scariest movie of 2026—find out what inspired the director’s horror film

Channeling grief into art is a process for many filmmakers, including Ian Tuason, the writer and director of A24’s Undertone. Tuason’s horror movie came after one of the darkest periods of his life. Tuason served as the caregiver for his parents during the pandemic after they were diagnosed with terminal cancer. Tuason moved back into his childhood home in Toronto and helped his parents during their final moments. His mother died months after the initial diagnosis, and his father passed away two years later.