Pulse

Pulse

Year: 2005

Runtime: 118 min

Language: Ukrainian

Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Budget: $21M

ThrillerHorror

Olympic hopeful Oksana faces a devastating blow when a serious car accident threatens her aspirations to compete for her country. The crash leaves her future uncertain and forces her to grapple with unexpected challenges and a hidden darkness as she fights to overcome the trauma and rebuild her life.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Pulse (2005)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Pulse (2005). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The film reflects a contemporary setting, indicative of the modern age where technology is deeply integrated into everyday life. It explores the consequences of technological advancement, particularly the vulnerabilities it introduces, as the plot unfolds in a seemingly current timeline with relatable societal issues.

Location

City, Countryside

The movie predominantly takes place in a modern city where technology and high-speed internet thrive. After a catastrophic event caused by a mysterious cyber force, the characters find themselves fleeing to the countryside, a stark contrast to their previous high-tech environment. The countryside symbolizes a return to simplicity and survival away from the technological grip that once dominated their lives.

🏙️ Urban 🌳 Rural

Last Updated: May 14, 2025 at 06:37

Main Characters – Pulse (2005)

Meet the key characters of Pulse (2005), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mattie

Mattie is a determined and resilient character who experiences the horrors unleashed by the cyber forces firsthand. Compelled to confront the aftermath of her friend's tragic demise, she transitions from a state of disbelief to a proactive role in combatting the threat. Her journey ultimately leads her to a deeper understanding of human vulnerability and the costs of modern technology.

💪 Proactive 😱 Courageous 🌍 Survivor

Douglas Ziegler

Douglas is a pivotal character whose innovations with technology inadvertently unleash a deadly force. His mental struggles culminate in a tragic suicide that sets off the main events of the story. Despite his demise, his actions reflect the darker side of technological experimentation and the unforeseen consequences it holds.

🔧 Innovator 💻 Tragic ☠️ Consequences

Dexter

Dexter is initially reluctant to engage with the problem at hand but eventually joins forces with Mattie to confront the cyber threats. His character embodies skepticism that transforms into a commitment to survival as he faces the terrifying reality alongside Mattie. Dexter highlights the themes of camaraderie and resilience against overwhelming odds.

🛡️ Reluctant Hero 🤝 Ally 🌪️ Resilient

Josh

Josh is a reclusive character who initially secludes himself in fear of the digital nightmares outside. His technological expertise proves crucial as he reveals the backstory of the horrific events. Despite his frantic state, he carries the burden of knowledge that unravels the mystery behind Douglas's creation, emphasizing the cost of ignorance and fear in crisis moments.

🧙‍♂️ Genius 😨 Frantic 🔒 Secluded

Last Updated: May 14, 2025 at 06:37

Major Themes – Pulse (2005)

Explore the central themes of Pulse (2005), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👻 Technology's Shadow

The movie delves into the dark side of technology, showcasing how dependence on the internet can lead to devastating consequences. It highlights the emergence of a cyber threat that preys on the will to live, turning a tool meant for connection into a source of despair. This theme serves as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of our digital age.

🕳️ Isolation

Isolation becomes a central theme as the characters grapple with the effects of a widespread cyber epidemic. The silent campus and the retreat of individuals into solitude reflect the social disconnection that technology can foster. As they confront the horror of the ghost-like entities, they're forced to reckon with their own isolation both physically and emotionally.

🌌 Survival

As the narrative progresses, survival takes precedence as Mattie and Dexter are thrust into a fight for their lives against the invading cyber-creatures. Their journey leads them to realize the need to abandon modern comforts and adapt to a new, primitive lifestyle, emphasizing the instinctual will to survive amidst chaos and despair.

Last Updated: May 14, 2025 at 06:37

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Technological Horror Apocalypse Movies Like Pulse

Stories where humanity's creations become the instrument of its downfall.If you liked the techno-horror and apocalyptic dread in Pulse, explore more movies where a digital or technological force brings civilization to the brink. These films share a dark tone and high-intensity threats stemming from humanity's own inventions.

apocalypticparanoidanxiousoppressivefearfuldesolatemelancholic

Narrative Summary

The narrative usually follows the discovery and rapid escalation of a technological anomaly or plague. Characters, often ordinary people, race against time to understand the new rules of a collapsing world, facing phenomena that are invisible, pervasive, and psychologically draining.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their core premise of a technology-driven apocalypse. They share a high-stakes, fast-paced narrative, a dark and paranoid tone, and a focus on the existential horror of fighting an enemy born from our own world.

Movies About Existential Despair Similar to Pulse

Character journeys defined by the erosion of hope and the will to live.For viewers who appreciated the heavy emotional weight and existential horror in Pulse, this list features movies with a similar descent into despair. These stories focus on characters grappling with forces that attack their very will to survive, often culminating in bleak endings.

desolatemelancholicoppressivefearfulanxioushopelesstraumatic

Narrative Summary

The narrative arc is one of progressive psychological defeat. Characters encounter a force—supernatural, societal, or internal—that invalidates their purpose and drains their vitality. The conflict is as much about maintaining sanity and willpower as it is about physical survival, often ending with a pyrrhic victory or outright defeat.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their focus on existential horror and heavy emotional weight. They share a dark tone, often a bleak ending, and a core theme of characters fighting a losing battle against despair, making the emotional experience consistently heavy and oppressive.

Unlock the Full Story of Pulse

Don't stop at just watching — explore Pulse in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Pulse is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Pulse Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Pulse, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Pulse Summary

Pulse Timeline

Track the full timeline of Pulse with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Pulse Timeline

Pulse Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Pulse that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Pulse Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Pulse

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Pulse: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Pulse

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