DVD Corner

Pulse Blu-ray Review

“Pulse” isn’t quite electric, but it’s worth a watch.

Not to be confused with 2006’s “Pulse,” this version is a 1988 film that is billed as a sci-fi horror film. The story follows a young boy named David who travels to Los Angeles to visit his father (Bill) and stepmother (Ellen). Before his arrival, something rather disturbing occurred across the street involving a neighbor who died. That is not the case. Instead, an intelligent and sinister electrical pulse was responsible. Now, it has transferred over to Bill’s house and is causing appliances to go haywire and creating all sorts of disasters within the home. David is the first to notice and experience the strange phenomenon, but it soon becomes apparent to Bill and Ellen. Will the family make it out alive?

Written and directed by Paul Golding, “Pulse” isn’t a title that gets a lot of mention these days, but it has value. Although there are shades of “Poltergeist” here to be sure, the story has much to say about paranoia, reliance on electricity, and potential terrors within our home. I’m not one to advocate for remakes or reboots, but it would actually be rather fascinating to see a new version in this age of smart homes. On top of that, the film almost plays like a precursor to “Final Destination” (or at least a potential influence on that horror franchise).

The main problem with “Pulse” is that it’s lacking in the horror department. It’s much more of a thriller than a horror film. Also, the premise, while intriguing, is a bit on the goofy side with evil electricity and killer electronics/appliances. The movie doesn’t even quite follow its own rules. How would a pulse affect glass for instance? It makes no sense, but if you go with the flow, you’ll find that “Pulse” is still a watchable if flawed slice of 80s horror.

The cast is quite good here. Obviously, the most notable casting here is a young Joey Lawrence as David. It’s interesting to see the actor a few years before he became a teenage idol. His talent was apparent here and he does a fine job leading the film. Keep an eye out for his brother Matthew Lawrence who appears in a small role as a neighborhood kid. Character actor Cliff De Young is certainly no stranger to the genre world having appeared in films like “F/X” and “Flight Of The Navigator.” He does a credible job as David’s father Bill. Roxanne Hart shines as the kindly stepmother Ellen who looks out for David.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.78:1 1080p. How does it look? The print can be grainy at times with noticeable print scratches, but for the most part the image quality is much sharper.

Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? This is a satisfactory 2.0 track. The sound effects are most effective here.

No extras.

February 7, 2026 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | 80's Horror, Joey Lawrence, Pulse (1988) Blu-ray Review, Pulse Blu-ray Review, Pulse Movie