The Signal

2008

USA

Writers and Directors Dan Bush, David Bruckner, Jacob Gentry

R4 DVD

Asylum

Madman Entertainment

Reviewer: Bob Estreich

A strange signal has appeared from nowhere and it is overriding televisions, mobile phones, and any communications device. Its strange distortions seem to react directly with the brain, suppressing normal behaviour and allowing the basic human nature to come through. Without the veneer of civilisation, what comes through is often quite nasty. Most people affected by the signal quickly turn into homicidal maniacs - others react in different ways depending on how long they are exposed. In less than a day civilisation has broken down.

The film follows Mya, her husband and her lover as they each react to the signal. Mya at first handles the chaos but soon withdraws into fugue. Her husband Lewis has a really dark personality and this comes through in a killing spree. Her lover, Ben, has trouble adjusting but can be as violent as necessary. In a time when bloody murder seems perfectly rational to the murderer, the outcome will not be pretty. As the signal changes, each person in the city is unsure of their place and indeed who they are, as brain patterns and behaviours become entangled and changed. Hallucinations are common and paranoia is affecting the survivors. It is almost impossible to achieve much character development in such changing circumstances, but a little does sneak through. Essentially, though, it is the plot that drives the story forward.

Although there is plenty of blood and gore this is not intended as a splatter movie. It is a psychological drama that explores the depths of the human mind and how it is often barely under control. At which point does self defence become homicide? Such a film could very easily fall back into splatter, but the fine script and brilliant directing and acting lift it out of the ordinary. What we get is a true suspense and horror film, one with no satisfactory outcome in sight.

There was one particular moment that I liked that provided a short break from the almost non-stop tension. As the three are getting into a car, in the background we see a group of people running past, screaming. They are followed by a maniac wielding a revving chainsaw. Such brief breaks are very few.

All this is achieved on a low budget and from an independent company. There are some shortcomings, but they can easily be overlooked in what is otherwise a really fine film. Extras include the Directors’ commentary, The Making of, a particularly good but deleted scene and the usual stills gallery

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This review will appear in Volume 2 No.4 (2009) of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.

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