Skip to content
MovieCove
Pulse

Pulse

You are now infected.

200690 minPG-13Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films
Director
Jim Sonzero
Starring
Kristen Bell, Ian Somerhalder, Christina Milian, Rick Gonzalez

When the dead discover a means to contact the living through electronic devices, cellphones and computers become open gateways to monstrosities and destruction.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Pulse?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Pulse streaming on Howdy via Prime Video, Lionsgate+ via Prime Video, Peacock, Prime Video and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Pulse?

Pulse earns 4 badges, led by Overhyped and Unsettling.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Pulse worth watching?

Pulse's Midcredits score is the 10th percentile of all films, from 51K ratings across 6 sources. 22% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

10th percentile

Better received than 10% of films

41st percentile among Horror10th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)12th
Approval (how many liked it)11th

47 /100

12th percentile of all films

43rd percentile among Horror12th percentile among 2000s

Critics 29 · Audience 48

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

The crowd leans negative, with most ratings sitting in the bottom half of the scale.

22% liked it

11th percentile of all films

43rd percentile among Horror10th percentile among 2000s
22% rated it 7–1078% rated it 1–6

Critics 11% · Audience 27%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 1 noms overall

92nd percentile

51K ratings across platforms

92nd percentile among Horror87th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 6% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$21M
Opening weekend$8.2M
Domestic gross$20M
Worldwide gross$30M

Returned 1.5× its budget — 85th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the film is derivative of the original Kairo and relies on cheap jump scares rather than genuine dread.

Fans praised

  • creepy dark atmosphere with a few good scares
  • decent visual effects and production values
  • enjoyable as a cheesy horror diversion for genre fans

Detractors panned

  • derivative and unoriginal, especially compared to the Japanese original
  • weak plot and poor story development
  • bad acting and low-quality effects

What stands out

AtmosphereDivisive55

creepy dark tone but lacks dread of original

Effects and spectacleDivisive40

decent effects but some cheap-looking

ActingDivisive35

some talent but overall weak performances

TensionDivisive35

few good scares but relies on jump scares

PacingDivisive35

slow start and uneven rhythm

Plot and storyDivisive30

derivative and poorly executed

OriginalityDivisive25

derivative of Kairo and other techno-horror films

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men even
  • Under-30s vs over-30s even
  • Critics vs users 3 points apart
  • US vs non-US 5 points apart

Watch experience

What is Pulse like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Scary: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want to be scared.

It is intense and leaves you unsettled. Skip it when you want an easy night.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings.

What it feels like

Scary.

The answer rests on this: Moods
DreadTenseMelancholic
Heaviest: late
Register
Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.Bleak · 8% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film takes its premise seriously, maintaining a consistently bleak and brooding atmosphere without undercutting its scares.
The rideThe film sustains a high level of dread and tension from the start, with the heaviest emotional weight in the final act as the characters face a hopeless retreat from modern life.
StructureA straightforward linear narrative following the spread of the threat and the protagonists' response.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Unsettled.

UnsettlingHaunting · 14% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves a lingering unease about technology's role in our lives and a grim sense of loss.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Monster
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% (this title) · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Technology turns: Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).

21% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe film follows a supernatural threat that spreads through electronic devices, turning technology against humanity and forcing the protagonists to fight back.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSurvival
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15% (this title): Survival 17% (this title) · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% (this title) · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1% (this title)

Survival

SurvivalTechnology · 1% of filmsIsolation · 5% of films
Warns its theme: Presents its theme as a danger or a coming cost.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on literal survival against a technological threat that drains the will to live, while also exploring how technology isolates and endangers human connection.
StanceThe film warns against unchecked technological dependence, showing how a hyper-connected world can become a vector for annihilation.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticInstitutionalHorror supernatural
Orchestral modernElectronicForeground music · original score · Elia Cmiral
Settinga college town and its empty streets during a supernatural epidemic
MusicThe score blends eerie electronic textures with somber orchestral passages to heighten the sense of dread and isolation.

Content guide

Is Pulse okay for kids?

PG-13

Pulse is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi terror, disturbing images, language, sensuality and thematic material” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (54/100), sexual content at minimal (12/100), language at moderate (45/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (46/100) and frightening material at intense (73/100). Its drug and alcohol content has too few votes to rank. Overall it is heavier than 82% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 5 other countries
  • Germany16
  • France12
  • Ireland16
  • South Korea15
  • Hungary12
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 51% of all filmsHeavier than 82% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 59%
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 14%
Profanity
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 60%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
too few votes to rank (8 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 92%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is frightening material. Everything else sits at or below what PG-13-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Pulse have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Pulse?

Cast

Kristen Bell
as Mattie
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Ian Somerhalder
as Dexter
Christina Milian
as Isabelle Fuentes
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Rick Gonzalez
as Stone
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Jonathan Tucker
as Josh
Samm Levine
as Tim
Octavia Spencer
as Landlady
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Ron Rifkin
as Dr. Waterson
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Joseph Gatt
as Dark Figure
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Kel O'Neill
as Douglas Zieglar
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Pulse?

Movies like Pulse include Pulse (2001), The Boy (2016) and Darkness (2002). Of the 12 closest matches, several are films written by Wes Craven, and most are psychological horror films.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

5 of these 12 share its subject: technology. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Pulse?

741 other films share the rarest tag below, premise: outbreak. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.