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Pulse

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Pulse

R

Released Feb 10, 2001

1h 59m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

54 Reviews

60%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

After college student Taguchi (Kenji Mizuhashi) commits suicide, a number of young adults living in Tokyo witness terrifying visions transferred across the Internet. As more people disappear throughout the city, the Internet becomes a breeding ground for malevolent spirits. Three seemingly disconnected stories follow Michi (Kumiko Asô), Ryosuke (Haruhiko Katô) and Harue (Koyuki) as they attempt to solve the mystery behind the ghostly visions that are seeping beyond their computer monitors.

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Critics Consensus

A sinister spine-tingling techno-thriller whose artistry lies in the power of suggestion rather than a barrage of blood and guts or horror shop special effects.

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Wesley Morris

Boston Globe

Where the average Japanese horror flick is petulant and nasty, Pulse is dolorous, shivery, and surreal.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 24, 2006

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Walter V. Addiego

San Francisco Chronicle

It's an apocalyptic ghost story with some eerie images and a surprising turn toward the end, but it bogs down considerably between the good scenes.

Rated: 2/4

Dec 16, 2005

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Bob Longino

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It's not about blood, gore and oozing innards but unsettling creepiness that gets under a moviegoer's skin and makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.

Rated: B-

Dec 15, 2005

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Pieter-Jan Van Haecke

Psychocinematography

Pulse is an extra-ordinary apocalyptic horror narrative that explores, in a refined way, the destructive impact of consumption...

Oct 26, 2022

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Stephanie Archer

Film Inquiry

It is deeply enlightening, haunting, and unbelievably relevant 20 years later. If you are looking for an old classic or a new horror love, make Kairo a must-see.

May 1, 2021

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Austin Trunick

Under the Radar

Kurosawa doesn't rely on gore or violence to make his specters haunting, but on their inhumanness and otherworldliness.

Oct 18, 2017

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Aidan B

While the fact the fact the film is as bonechilling as it is without a single jump scare being used is a massive feat in and of itself, the dull pacing, predictable story, and incredibly underwhelming finale make "Pulse" an overall disappointing but admittedly frightening watch.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/23/25

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Ian S

Maybe the slow build up was a negative but it didn't detract from the overall effect and the ideas about loneliness and technology. One of the best Japanese horror films of the past 25 years and one of the best movies about the dangers of the internet. What is prescient and creepy now must have been even more chilling in 2001. Far superior to the American remake and much more subtle.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/23/25

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MikesReviewsArt n

80% “Before black mirror, there was pulse Japanese version” The horrors of technology what It can do, we can isolate people the over usage of it, the lack of human connection. Accept death as a part of life cycle, but also enjoy life while you’re in the living. Love the subtlety in the scares of shadows in the background or creepy looking people.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/26/25

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Audience Member

Very good classic J Horror movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/01/24

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xenounde0

My most favorite movie of all time. Better with every watch. Not the utterly scarring horror movie a lot of people make it out to be, but it's beautifully crafted.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/23/24

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Zion J

I really couldn't understand why it was so long, Well. This is nothing new to me sense I have watched movies that are longer then this. Sure it's Boring, But they set perfect examples into Pulse on what a real horror movie should be like. 8/10

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/16/24

Full Review

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Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Director

Haruhiko Katô

Ryosuke Kawashima

Kumiko Asô

Michi Kudo

Koyuki

Harue Karasawa

Kurume Arisaka

Junko Sasano

Masatoshi Matsuo

Toshio Yabe

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Synopsis

After college student Taguchi (Kenji Mizuhashi) commits suicide, a number of young adults living in Tokyo witness terrifying visions transferred across the Internet. As more people disappear throughout the city, the Internet becomes a breeding ground for malevolent spirits. Three seemingly disconnected stories follow Michi (Kumiko Asô), Ryosuke (Haruhiko Katô) and Harue (Koyuki) as they attempt to solve the mystery behind the ghostly visions that are seeping beyond their computer monitors.

Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Screenwriter: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Columbia
Rating: R (Some Violent Images)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 10, 2001, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 59m
Sound Mix: Surround

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