Is PULSE The Most Depressing Movie Ever Made?

In the haunting world of early 2000s J-horror, few films stand out as starkly and eerily as Pulse (2001), directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa. This psychological slow-burn isn't your typical ghost story—it’s a meditation on loneliness, technology, and the eerie silence of an increasingly connected world. As part of the wave of atmospheric horror that gave us classics like Hideo Nakata’s Ringu (1998), Takashi Shimizu’s Ju-On: The Grudge (2002), and Dark Water (2002), Pulse takes the genre into an unsettling digital limbo that feels even more relevant today.

In this video essay, we’ll dive deep into the visual language, sound design, and philosophical undercurrents of Pulse, exploring how it captures a uniquely millennial dread. We’ll also touch on its American remake, audience reception, and why it continues to haunt viewers more than two decades later.

We’re taking inspiration from some of the best in the movie commentary space—channels like FoundFlix, SpookyRice, Karsten Runquist, CineFix, Accented Cinema, and Ryan Hollinger—all of whom bring smart, accessible film analysis to wide audiences. Whether you’re a long-time horror fan or new to J-horror, this video will unravel the deeper meanings behind Kurosawa’s chilling vision.

Fair Use Disclaimer:
This video contains copyrighted material, including film clips, used under Fair Use for purposes of commentary, criticism, education, and analysis, as provided for under Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act.

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