A lesser-known A24 horror movie has become HBO Max’s biggest movie in the United States. The surprise streaming success shows that word of mouth can still turn a hidden gem into a hit. While bigger horror releases have dominated headlines this year, this eerie horror has found a new audience after landing on streaming. Its unsettling premise and slow-burning suspense appear to be impressing cinephiles looking for something different.

Undertone is topping HBO Max’s streaming charts

According to Flix Patrol, Undertone has climbed to the No. 1 spot on HBO Max’s Top 10 movies list in the United States. It currently sits ahead of titles including How to Make a Killing, They Will Kill You, Ready Player One, and Contagion. The unexpected rise has helped the horror movie gain fresh attention months after its original release.

The story centers on the host of a successful paranormal podcast whose life takes a terrifying turn after mysterious audio recordings begin arriving. Instead of simply becoming material for her show, the disturbing tapes appear connected to a frightening force that slowly invades her everyday life. The mystery unfolds through psychological tension rather than relying only on jump scares.

Directed by Ian Tuason, the film stars Michèle Duquet, Keana Bastidas, Nina Kiri, Kristen Holden-Ried, Jeff Yung, Ryan Turner, Sarah Beaudin, Brian Quintero, and Christina Notto. Producers include Dan Slater and Cody Calahan. The movie was produced by Black Fawn Films and distributed by A24 in the US and VVS Films in Canada.

Although Undertone didn’t make a major splash during its initial release, streaming has given it a second life. At the time of writing, the film holds an IMDb rating of 5.9/10 and a 74% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Many reviewers praised its creepy atmosphere, immersive sound design, and fresh podcast-based concept. Some audience members felt the deliberate pacing was slower than expected, but fans of psychological horror have largely welcomed its unsettling design.