Pulse Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Hackers accidentally turn on ghost Wi-Fi, and everyone gets sad and ashy because they can’t stop staring at their screens.

🍿 Pulse: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Initial Breach

Mattie, a psychology student, visits her reclusive friend Josh. Josh reveals he’s been experimenting with a powerful wireless signal. He’s inadvertently opened a gateway, releasing a force that drains the will to live. Soon after, Josh commits suicide, setting off a chain of disturbing events.

The Spread of the Infection

Strange digital anomalies appear – viruses on computers, ghostly figures on webcams. People exposed to these phenomena lose their vitality, becoming despondent before either disintegrating into ash or taking their own lives. Mattie and her friend Isabelle witness the growing chaos and struggle to understand the cause.

Dexter’s Involvement and the Search for a Solution

Mattie connects with Dexter, the original owner of the computer Josh used. Dexter, initially skeptical, comes to realize the severity of the situation. Together, they embark on a desperate search for a way to stop the spread of the malevolent force, discovering that red duct tape can temporarily repel the entities.

The Desperate Attempt to Stop the Virus

Mattie and Dexter seek out Josh’s research in an attempt to use it to save their world. They discover Josh had developed a counter-virus before his death, and plan to use it in the building’s main server room to shutdown the system and save humanity. On their way there, they are threatened by different entities who are out to harm them.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mattie (Kristen Bell): A psychology student who investigates the source of a deadly signal and fights for survival as the world crumbles around her.
• Dexter (Ian Somerhalder): The previous owner of the infected computer who reluctantly joins Mattie to stop the spread of the deadly virus.
• Josh (Jonathan Tucker): The hacker who accidentally unleashes the destructive force by experimenting with a powerful wireless signal.
• Isabelle Fuentes (Christina Milian): Mattie’s close friend who falls victim to the supernatural forces released by the internet virus.
• Douglas Ziegler (Kel O’Neill): The computer geek whose research inadvertently opens a gateway for malevolent entities, leading to his suicide.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Douglas Zieglar: “The last thing you want, the last thing you ever want is for them to get to you. ‘Cause when they grab a hold, they will take your will to live. Everything that made you you is gone. You don’t want to talk, you don’t want to move. You’re a shell.” – Douglas explains the horrific consequences of being touched by the entities from the digital world.
• Mattie: “They’re not ghosts. They’re the system.” – Mattie realizes that the entities are not external invaders but a manifestation of the system itself.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,500,000
• Domestic Gross: $20,264,436
• Worldwide Gross: $29,907,685

💥 Pulse Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this expecting a fun, spooky ride. What I got was…confusing. The premise is kinda cool – ghosts using the internet? But the execution? Not so much. I couldn’t really connect with any of the characters, and the scares felt really cheap and predictable. The ending left me scratching my head more than anything. Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re really, REALLY bored.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of J-horror remakes like The Ring and The Grudge”
  • “Viewers interested in cautionary tales about technology”
  • “Those looking for a PG-13 horror movie with some jump scares”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suicide”
  • “Thematic elements of depression and isolation”
  • “Intense sequences of sci-fi terror”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Pulse fails to generate scares or suspense, offering a derivative and confusing take on the J-horror formula.
• Metacritic: “Despite a timely premise, Pulse suffers from poor execution, relying on jump scares and a muddled plot to deliver its horror.
• AllMovie: “The film has a few eerie moments, but ultimately fails to create a cohesive or truly frightening experience.

Audience Reactions

The idea of ghosts using technology to invade the real world was intriguing.: Some viewers appreciated the film’s attempt to modernize the horror genre with a tech-based threat.

The movie had potential, but the plot was poorly executed and confusing.: Many viewers felt the film lacked a coherent narrative and relied too heavily on jump scares.

Overall Consensus: Pulse is a poorly received remake that fails to deliver scares or a compelling story, leaving audiences confused and disappointed.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Pulse is a remake of the Japanese horror film Kairo (2001).”
• “Filming took place in Bucharest, Romania, to create the film’s bleak and unsettling atmosphere.”
• “Wes Craven is credited as a writer on the film, though reports suggest his involvement was limited.”
• “The film uses a desaturated color palette to enhance the sense of decay and despair.”

🖥️ How to Watch Pulse?

As of today, you can rent or purchase ‘Pulse’ on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as options may change. Unfortunately, it’s not currently available on major subscription streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or HBO Max.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Pulse, you might like these similar films:

• The Ring (2002): Shares a similar theme of a technological curse spreading fear and death.
• The Grudge (2004): Another American remake of a Japanese horror film with vengeful spirits.
• FearDotCom (2002): Explores the internet as a portal for evil, similar to Pulse, but more exploitation-focused.
• Disconnect (2012): Explores the themes of isolation and alienation caused by technology, although not a horror film.

🛒 Pulse Related Products

• Pulse [Blu-ray]: Relive the terror with this high-definition Blu-ray version of Pulse. Witness the ghosts in chilling clarity as they invade the digital world.
• Red Duct Tape (2 Pack): Protect your home from otherworldly invasions with this essential pack of red duct tape, the only known defense against digital ghosts!
• The Ring [Blu-ray]: If you enjoyed Pulse, check out the film that started it all – The Ring, an excellent Japanese horror film about a killer tape that curses you, resulting in death. Great scary movie, great special effects. A must have Blu-ray!
• Silent Hill [Blu-ray]: In Silent Hill a desparate mother searches for her missing daughter only to find herself in an terrifying alternative world filled with dangerous monsters. If you are a fan of horror and suspense, you will LOVE Silent Hill!.

🎧 Soundtrack

Pulse features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Goodness of the Girl” – performed by Intercooler

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Pulse (2001) | DISTURBING BREAKDOWN

Want to understand the original ‘Pulse’ that inspired the remake? This breakdown dives deep into the film’s unsettling themes of loneliness and technology – it’s a chilling watch!

What Happened to Japanese Horror? | Video Essay

Ever wondered what makes Japanese horror so unique? This video essay explores the history of the genre and places Pulse within that fascinating context – definitely worth a watch if you’re a horror fan!

✨ Rate