Best movie of this year hands down!

Stylish but barely mediocre overall

Let's be realistic.

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Now the more knowledgable ones amongst you may know that Hollywood remade this a few years later after this was originally released in 2001. Do yourself a favour and do not watch it. I repeat: Do. Not. Watch. It. Instead, go out and get the original. A group of young people in Tokyo start to experience strange phenomena including missing colleagues, technological glitches and unusual happenings. As suicide rates increase, three strangers scavenge the city to find answers. This is not your usual J-Horror. Yes, there are ghostly illusions that slowly creep towards the camera (which freaked me the hell out) but beneath this is a central metaphor regarding loneliness. How the utilisations and ever-growing prominence of technology will only serve to isolate us from reality. Exploiting social media and the internet into a horror film was inspired, and director Kiyoshi Kurosawa injected a sense of existential dread within every scene. An incredibly original concept back in 2001 that has clearly inspired many newer small budget horrors (Friend Request, Unfriended etc.). Kurosawa features some haunting cinematography, with the help of Junichiro Hayashi, which really hones in on the horror elements that the film required. I mean, who knew staring at computers and waiting for images to move could be so unnerving!? A few ambiguous scenes, like a website that asks the compelling question: "Do you want to meet a Ghost?" which for the most part work. Seriously though, if you see that...smash the computer with a hammer, burn the remains and bury the ashes. Don't just unplug it! Fools! Unfortunately, the third act loses all intrigue and suspense that the first two acts built, and settles for an apocalyptic tone. Personally, far too grandiose for a story that feels better on a smaller scale. I also felt too disconnected with the main characters, struggled to become invested in them. Having said that, Pulse is a great modern J-Horror and a dark reflection of our growing digital world.

People never seemed so helplessly alone as in Pulse, Kiyoshi Kurosawa's probably best movie. A poetic, melancholy as much as creepy horror allegory. The most impressive features of Pulse are the masterful direction with amazing shots, perfect use of the depth of field and surprising panoramic movements of the camera and the haunting cinematography which creates a gloomy but also beautiful world. 9/10

Disregard any issues you may have for Asian genre-cinema ie Ju-On or Ringu. This creepfest along with A Tale of Two Sisters and Audition, is one of those flicks that just make the hair stand up on your neck.Pulse is incredibly creepy, bleak, and dreadful. The best way to watch is just you and the screen you're watching it on. Turn off the cell and turn off the lights because Pulse jumped right into areas of fear that I had never experienced. I had to pause the film and turn the light on for a moment because it was just THAT UNSETTLING. No "boos" or loud thumps. Visual and auditory discomfort and confusion left me dizzied and delighted. I am happy to find films that scare me. It just comes to show that with a little research you can find a film that can do the same; with or without critical praise.

This is a "different" movie that can be easily called boring when people don't understand. It is a little slow but if you have an attention span you will most likely think it's a refreshing change of pace, though not perfect. If you like the American version you will most likely think it's boring. I kind of like the American version though, but I'm easily impressed. I gave it a seven because its plot could use a little work. I love the premise and certain elements of the plot. Their's a very stupid thing that a character reads from a book "Every one dies so there's no logical reason for ghosts not to exist." I can name plenty, but it was a good laugh then the story continued.