A24's low-budget horror Undertone tops HBO Max after weekend

Undertone, A24's low-budget thriller, reached HBO Max's number one spot the weekend after it was added on June 26. The film performed ahead of titles such as How To Make a Killing, They Will Kill You, and Ready Player One on tracking site FlixPatrol. Directed by Ian Tuason, the Canadian movie premiered in theaters on March 13, 2026, and grossed over $21.6 million in the US and Canada against a $500,000 microbudget.

It follows a pair of podcast hosts who find audio files detailing a couple's possession, and narrows its focus on one host (Nina Kiry) who returns home to care for her ailing mother. “I would say it's a creepypasta movie,” Tuason said. “Their podcast is a creepypasta podcast, and the 10 audio files that were emailed to them are creepypasta media.

So yeah, this movie was built on top of creepypastas.” Before Undertone, Tuason made live-action VR horror shorts that drew large YouTube viewership and led to a showcase at SXSW; Undertone marked his feature directorial debut.

Canada

undertone, a24, hbo max, ian tuason, nina kiry, creepypasta, podcast hosts, microbudget, box office, flixpatrol