Pulse (2001)
"Kairo" (original title)

Japanese university students investigate a series of suicides linked to an Internet Web cam that promises visitors the chance to interact with the dead.

Director:

Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Writer:

Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Stars:

Haruhiko Katô, Kumiko Asô, Koyuki

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Haruhiko Katô	...	Ryosuke Kawashima
Kumiko Asô	...	Michi Kudo
Koyuki	...	Harue Karasawa
Kurume Arisaka	...	Junko Sasano
Masatoshi Matsuo	...	Toshio Yabe
Shinji Takeda	...	Yoshizaki
Jun Fubuki	...	Michi's mother
Shun Sugata	...	Boss
Shô Aikawa	...	Employee
Kôji Yakusho	...	Ship Captain
Kenji Mizuhashi	...	Taguchi
Takumi Tanji	...	Man with Bag
Hassei Takano	...	Student A
Atsushi Yuki	...	Student B
Go Takashima	...	Student C

Storyline

After one of their friends commits suicide, strange things begin happening to a group of young Tokyo residents. One of them sees visions of his dead friend in the shadows on the wall, while another's computer keeps showing strange, ghostly images. Is their friend trying to contact them from beyond the grave, or is there something much more sinister going on?

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Plot Keywords:

suicide | internet | student | computer | shadow | 

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Taglines:

Yûrei ni aitai desu ka? (Do you want to meet a ghost?)

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violent images

Details

Official Sites:

Magnolia Pictures Company

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

9 November 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Pulse

Filming Locations:

Tokyo, Japan

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$7,250 (USA) (11 November 2005)

Gross:

$49,046 (USA) (16 December 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Daiei Eiga, Hakuhodo, Imagica

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A large number of scenes were shot from windows.

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Quotes

Ghost: Death was... eternal loneliness.

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Connections

References Serial Experiments: Lain (1998)

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Soundtracks

"Hane Lay Down My Arms"
Performed by Cocco

User Reviews

truly frightening

a horror film hasn't given me chills in a while. this film made me feel as isolated and terrified as the characters in the movie. I had seen the American re-make before this film, and i'm kind of glad I did, because I got to save the best for last. If you were disappointed by the American Pulse, this predecessor will certainly make up for that sorry excuse for a horror.

I can say without a doubt this is one of my top films to watch alone in a dark room if I wanted to scare the hell out of myself. And that just puts a big grin on my face. Not to mention, the lighting and cinematography in this film is also really well done, and adds a lot to the completely creepy mood throughout. While the story may be hard to follow if you don't know the history behind the film beforehand, it's scary either way. I've watched it twice now, and it's just as good the second time around. Even though this film is considered an older J-horror film, it's still fresh in my book.

I think horror film makers that rely on cheap thrills and gore should take Kairo for a spin, they'd learn a lot from it. Kairo is a truly haunting, scary film that will leave your eyes wide open in terror. 10/10