Pulse

Mattie visits her friend Douglas Ziegler after he has been unresponsive for a week. Upon entering his apartment, she finds Douglas acting strangely and tragically witnesses him commit suicide right in front of her.

After Douglas's death, Mattie discovers that he had been working on a powerful wireless signal. This signal unintentionally releases a dark force that begins affecting the will to live of those who encounter it, escalating into a suicide epidemic.

While examining Douglas's computer, Mattie encounters a strange virus page that asks, 'Do you want to see a ghost?'. Once they access it, the reflection of their room appears on the screen, hinting at a deeper, mystical connection to the system.

Mattie experiences terror as she becomes aware of the cyber-entities known as 'ghosts'. These creatures begin to manifest, leading people to commit suicide or disintegrate into dust upon witnessing the webpage.

Mattie feels the effects of the epidemic as friends start disappearing from campus, especially her close friend Isabelle. The horror intensifies when Isabelle is attacked by ghostly figures emerging from a laundry machine.

Mattie discovers that the computer Douglas used was previously owned by Dexter. Initially reluctant to help, Dexter soon realizes the gravity of the situation and agrees to join forces with Mattie.

They find Josh, a friend of Douglas, who has barricaded himself in his apartment. He reveals that he and Douglas were working on expanding their internet network, but their project inadvertently contributed to the emergence of the cyber-creatures.

Mattie, Dexter, and Josh devise a plan to use a virus created by Douglas and Josh to shut down the malevolent system. The urgency grows as more unknown viruses start to appear on their devices.

Despite Mattie and Dexter's attempts to convince him to escape, Josh's fear leads to his demise when ghostly creatures invade through his door after he briefly opens it. His death reinforces the urgency of their mission.

Determined, Mattie and Dexter set out to the basement of Douglas's building, where the main server is located. However, they are confronted by a swarm of malevolent cyber-creatures on their way.

While trying to reach their goal, Mattie is ensnared by a ghost that drains her will to fight. Dexter manages to pull her away, warning her not to look at the creature’s face, which could spell doom.

Finally arriving at the main server, they successfully upload the virus intended to halt the ghost invasion. However, the system reacts by rebooting and opens the gates back to their world, complicating their escape.

Mattie and Dexter flee the now desolate streets of their city, realizing that all modern communication has been compromised. They find solace only in a military radio broadcast urging survivors to seek refuge away from urban areas.

As they sleep in their car, Mattie reflects on the grim reality they face ahead. The duo understands they must adapt to a life without technology, retreating to a rural existence away from the threats of the cyber-creatures.

In the end, Mattie narrates her understanding of humanity's retrogression to a primitive lifestyle. The struggle for survival continues as both humans and the ghost entities accept their stark new realities post-crisis.