Ian Tuason has been on a fast rise through the horror industry over the past few years. Initially known for making viral VR horror videos, Tuason went on to write a horror novel, direct the A24 horror movie Undertone, and sign on to revive Paranormal Activity, the franchise that made Blumhouse an international horror powerhouse. With Undertone now available for PVOD rental or purchase (and also still in theaters!), Tuason’s attention is on that revival — a project where he tells Polygon he’s been given “full control” to do whatever he wants.
“I’m a big fan of the series, so I’m excited for other fans to get hit with some big reveals,” he says.
Tuason’s movie will be the first Paranormal Activity movie since the little-loved straight-to-streaming release Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin rebooted the franchise in 2021. Tuason didn’t want to discuss whether his film, currently under the working title of Paranormal Activity 8, is a complete reworking of the horror series, or whether it would involve legacy characters from the other movies.
“I can’t say too much about it, but I’m lucky to be given full control,” he says. “So it’ll come from me, but I am a fan, so it will be handled with care.”
But he does say his goal is to unite all the aspects of the franchise that hooked him as a viewer.
“I want to take the best out of the first three, plus other found-footage films that influenced me,” Tuason says. “I’m going to take some elements there and I’m going to create a hybrid that’s going to define the found-footage genre. I want to go super DIY, still, but using up-to-date tech. It’s still going to look like someone shot it using cameras they have around the house. So iPhones, security cams, even a smart fridge.”
Undertone is Tuason’s first full-length feature, and he says he’ll take the lessons of that movie into Paranormal Activity 8.
“What I learned most is just to focus on the art and do the best you can to block out all other noise,” he says. “I mean, Undertone was shot in my house with a bunch of friends, essentially, and we didn’t have to answer to anyone. And then when we screened it, everyone saw what happens when you just focus on making a great movie.”
The Conjuring series creator James Wan, Blumhouse head Jason Blum, and original Paranormal Activity writer-director Oren Peli are producing Paranormal Activity 8. The film is slated for release on May 21, 2027.
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