Netflix’s new sci-fi thriller Pulse isn’t your typical adrenaline-fueled dystopian drama. Instead, it leans into psychological unease, emotional distance, and a creeping sense of isolation—offering something closer to Solaris than Black Mirror. While not for everyone, this brooding, introspective series could hit the sweet spot for fans of cerebral, slow-burn science fiction.
The premise: humanity on the edge of connection—and collapse
Set in a near-future society subtly broken by technology and climate catastrophe, Pulse follows a group of people who become affected by a mysterious signal—a frequency or “pulse” that seems to alter perception, behavior, and possibly even reality.
What begins as a strange medical anomaly slowly reveals itself to be something much more sinister and expansive. Each episode delves into how different characters experience this phenomenon: a grieving mother, a reclusive technician, a burned-out doctor, a teen dissociating from his digital life.
But don’t expect clear answers. Pulse raises more questions than it resolves, embracing ambiguity and leaving viewers to draw their own conclusions.
An atmosphere of decay and detachment
Visually, Pulse is striking—filled with washed-out colors, sterile environments, and haunting silence. The camera often lingers just a moment too long, letting the viewer stew in discomfort. The pacing is slow and deliberate, with minimal exposition. For some, it will feel hypnotic. For others, frustrating.
The show shares DNA with films like Under the Skin and series like Tales from the Loop or Devs—works that prioritize mood over plot. The sound design is equally unnerving, with electronic pulses and ambient tones echoing the show’s central mystery.
A thematic deep dive into disconnection
Pulse is less about the science and more about the emotion. Its real subject is loneliness in the digital age, and the ways people withdraw from the world when they can no longer find meaning in it. The titular signal becomes a metaphor for the psychic noise of modern life—a kind of existential static that distorts human connection.
Throughout its eight episodes, the series wrestles with:
- Grief and trauma
- Mental health and alienation
- The ethical limits of technology
- The fragility of communication
It’s more interested in feelings than in futuristic gadgets. As a result, it often plays like a melancholy tone poem rather than a traditional thriller.
Strong performances across the board
Though the cast is largely made up of lesser-known actors, performances are quietly powerful. Sophie Wilde (of Talk to Me) brings heartbreaking nuance to a mother undone by loss. Paapa Essiedu offers a grounded, vulnerable portrayal of a man unraveling under the weight of both external and internal pressure. Even when the narrative meanders, the performances remain magnetic.
Final verdict: not for everyone, but unforgettable for some
Pulse is a show that demands patience and rewards introspection. It’s not designed to binge or to wow with twists. Instead, it invites you to sit with discomfort, to reflect, and maybe to feel a little lost—just like its characters.
For those looking for sci-fi that pulses with emotional resonance rather than action, Netflix’s Pulse may become a sleeper hit—or at least a haunting memory that lingers long after the signal fades.
