Pulse
When the dead discover a means to contact the living through electronic devices, cellphones and computers become open gateways to monstrosities and destruction.
The film struggled financially against its respectable budget of $38.0M, earning $29.9M globally (-21% loss).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Pulse (2006) reveals meticulously timed plot construction, characteristic of Jim Sonzero's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 28 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Mattie is a college psychology student living a normal life, connected to friends through technology and the internet. She receives messages from her boyfriend Josh who has been distant.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Josh commits suicide in front of Mattie. This traumatic event shatters her normal world and introduces the mysterious supernatural threat connected to technology.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Mattie chooses to actively investigate the supernatural occurrences after another friend dies. She commits to uncovering the truth about the deadly signal coming through technology., moving from reaction to action.
At 44 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat They discover the scope of the invasion: it's not isolated but spreading globally through the internet. The ghosts are overwhelming the world of the living. What seemed like a personal mystery is actually an apocalypse., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 66 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Dexter is taken by the ghosts, leaving Mattie alone. The world has descended into chaos, cities are being evacuated, and Mattie faces the reality that they cannot stop the invasion., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 71 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Mattie escapes the city and joins other survivors in an isolated area. They create red duct tape barriers (discovered to repel ghosts) and attempt to preserve humanity away from technology., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Pulse's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Pulse against these established plot points, we can identify how Jim Sonzero utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Pulse within the horror genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Mattie is a college psychology student living a normal life, connected to friends through technology and the internet. She receives messages from her boyfriend Josh who has been distant.
Theme
A character mentions how technology connects us but also isolates us, questioning whether we're truly connected or just alone together. The theme explores isolation in the digital age.
Worldbuilding
Establishes Mattie's world at university, her relationships with friends, her dependence on technology and computers. Josh's strange behavior and withdrawal from everyone creates unease.
Disruption
Josh commits suicide in front of Mattie. This traumatic event shatters her normal world and introduces the mysterious supernatural threat connected to technology.
Resistance
Mattie investigates Josh's death, discovering strange files on his computer. Other friends begin experiencing supernatural phenomena. She debates whether to pursue the mystery or let it go.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Mattie chooses to actively investigate the supernatural occurrences after another friend dies. She commits to uncovering the truth about the deadly signal coming through technology.
Mirror World
Mattie meets Dexter, a tech-savvy student who has also encountered the supernatural phenomena. Their partnership represents connection through shared trauma and understanding.
Premise
Mattie and Dexter explore the digital ghost world, discovering that spirits are using technology to cross over and steal the will to live from the living. They encounter multiple supernatural attacks.
Midpoint
They discover the scope of the invasion: it's not isolated but spreading globally through the internet. The ghosts are overwhelming the world of the living. What seemed like a personal mystery is actually an apocalypse.
Opposition
The supernatural attacks intensify. Friends continue to die. Mattie and Dexter struggle to survive as society begins to collapse. The ghosts close in from all technological devices.
Collapse
Dexter is taken by the ghosts, leaving Mattie alone. The world has descended into chaos, cities are being evacuated, and Mattie faces the reality that they cannot stop the invasion.
Crisis
Mattie grieves and contemplates giving up as the apocalypse unfolds around her. She processes the loss of everyone she loved and questions whether survival is even possible.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Mattie escapes the city and joins other survivors in an isolated area. They create red duct tape barriers (discovered to repel ghosts) and attempt to preserve humanity away from technology.
Transformation
Mattie records a warning message for any survivors. Though alive, she exists in a world where humanity has lost, forced to live disconnected and isolated - the very thing technology promised to prevent.