This oddity from the ‘80s might not have the profile of some films of its ilk, but highlights another horror tale told from the perspective of a youngster.
The kid in question in David (Joey Lawrence), who has been dragged from the comfort of his mum’s house in Colorado to spend the summer with his father (Cliff De Young) and his new wife (Roxanne Hart). Things start to go wrong when the sulky brat is left alone and the TV goes on the fritz. He then develops an obsession with the house opposite. The owner of which murdered his wife before being electrocuted when he was smashing everything up in a fit of madness. Or is there more to it as the electronic current seems to have a life of its own and wants David dead.
Pulse is a small story perhaps better suited to an episode of Tales from the Darkside or the like, but despite the rather dated nature, works quite well. As Joey Lawrence is our ‘in’ to the story, it’s good that he is a quietly impressive young actor (he would improve even more with Blossom). The terror that electricity invokes brings back memories of those ‘don’t forget to unplug the TV at night’ public information films that would appear when broadcasts didn’t go on through the night (kids today will never understand the fear of going to bed and worrying if the house would burn down because you left it plugged in). Unlike other electrically-charged films, Pulse doesn’t attempt to give a convoluted explanation for what’s happening, and merrily gets on with the job in hand, which is providing some impressive jolts.
The Eureka release might not be packed with special features but what is there is interesting enough for a film of this level. Pulse is fun and undemanding and surprisingly effective when it comes to tension and (electric) shocks.
