The Signal

Name: The Signal
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller, Horror
Released: February 22, 2008
Duration: 103 min
Rating: 63
Cast: Anessa Ramsey, Justin Welborn, Scott Poythress

2008

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Generally favorable reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 42 Ratings

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6.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 42 Ratings

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The Signal

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Movie Details & Credits

Magnet Releasing | Release Date: February 22, 2008 | R

Starring: Anessa Ramsey, Justin Welborn, Scott Poythress

Summary: It's New Year's Eve in the city of Terminus, and chaos is this year's resolution. All forms of communication have been jammed by an enigmatic signal that preys on the fears and desires of everyone in the city. Told in three parts from three unique perspectives by three visionary directors, The Signal is a horrific journey toward discoveringIt's New Year's Eve in the city of Terminus, and chaos is this year's resolution. All forms of communication have been jammed by an enigmatic signal that preys on the fears and desires of everyone in the city. Told in three parts from three unique perspectives by three visionary directors, The Signal is a horrific journey toward discovering that the most brutal monster might actually be within all of us. [Magnolia Pictures]… Expand

Director: Dan Bush and David Bruckner and Jacob Gentry

Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Thriller, Horror

Rating: R

Runtime: 103 min

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Critic Reviews

Jeremy Knox

If you’re tired of zombie films or rabid people films, Signal is like a cool drink of water on a hot day. It’s got all the goodness from the best of those genres while creating its own niche at the same time. Read full review

Wesley Morris

The Signal is like a Romero zombie movie in which the zombies aren't dead, they're just really temperamental. Evil here is technology-born. Maybe our cellphones and satellite dishes are giving us all the crazy. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Maitland McDonagh

It has a creepy power all its own. Read full review

J.R. Jones

Cagey low-budget horror flick. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

Mostly comes down to rage fiends going at one another with baseball bats, knives, pesticide tanks, and power drills. Read full review

John Anderson

In a movie about perception, misperception and the ramifications of misunderstanding, it's a bit ironic that the directors can't get out of one another's way. Read full review

James Berardinelli

It doesn't take long for the The Signal's promising beginning to fade into a haze that leaves the viewer exhausted and irritated. Read full review

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User Reviews

Myffubs

Aug 14, 2011

The Signal is perhaps one of the best horror films to be released in recent years. It's highlighted by both its experimental nature and its frightening message, that the media will slowly drive us crazy. Well, not slowly, not in this movie. While watching television, making phone calls,The Signal is perhaps one of the best horror films to be released in recent years. It's highlighted by both its experimental nature and its frightening message, that the media will slowly drive us crazy. Well, not slowly, not in this movie. While watching television, making phone calls, and/or listening to the radio, the citizens of Terminus are susceptible to becoming violent raving lunatics thanks to a mysterious signal. It's reminiscent of body snatcher and zombie films, but there is an eerie sort of twist: those affected by the signal have no idea that anything is wrong with them. Instead, they view others as threats to their life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. As one of the Affected states, "It's telling me what I should do, what I should want. I want my wife, and I want my home, and I want all you people to stop bothering us." Of course, this is first and foremost a horror film, and The Signal never gets too heavy-handed in the delivery of its message. It's actually quite scary and funny, and often at the same time. The film follows several characters through three loosely-connected chapters (called transmissions, each created by a different director) that vary wildly in delivery. The first transmission is arguably the best, crafting horror around uncertainty and building suspense with a surreal atmosphere. The second takes pitch black humor to the next level, yet also manages to include the film's single most disturbing scene. The third transmission turns the film into a psychological thriller about losing one's mind. Despite this, the film works; it feels like a whole (much more so, in fact, than many other films with just one director). Sure, there are shortcomings; two of the actors are not exactly good enough to carry the dialogue-heavy climax, which will lose some audience members, and the film's budget is apparent in several scenes. Of course, these are minor complaints when looking at the film as a whole. It's an excellent horror film that takes a jarring look at the messages of fear we receive from media sources almost every day: the outside world is a dangerous place, those whose views differ from ours are inherently an enemy of sorts, and we must do what we can to protect the ones we love. With this fear semi-constantly drilled into our minds, how long will it take for people to finally snap?… Expand

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eiffel

Jul 31, 2008

Fantastic. original screenplay that doesn't borrow from other movies. smart and evolving. characters stay fresh by being multidimensional. doesn't try to prove anything or teach the viewer but in the end gives a satisfying insight into the human psych. its funny at times which Fantastic. original screenplay that doesn't borrow from other movies. smart and evolving. characters stay fresh by being multidimensional. doesn't try to prove anything or teach the viewer but in the end gives a satisfying insight into the human psych. its funny at times which puts your guard down and it's completely never obvious and keps you guessing. if you liked wristcutters you'll love this.… Expand

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BenjaminC

Nov 23, 2008

An excellent psychological horror film that I believe will eventually become a cult classic.

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JayH.

Jun 3, 2008

Interesting film, with three stories cleverly incorporated into one film. It can be a bit brutal at all times, but it is engrossing throughout. I liked the middle piece best. I admire the originality of the film.

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HotelCentral

Apr 28, 2017

An entertaining low-budget entry in the non-zombie zombie-apocalypse sub-genre that close-focuses on a small set of characters, which, to some extent, keeps us guessing about who has "turned" and who hasn't. The story benefits from a non-linear telling. The fx are not overly gory butAn entertaining low-budget entry in the non-zombie zombie-apocalypse sub-genre that close-focuses on a small set of characters, which, to some extent, keeps us guessing about who has "turned" and who hasn't. The story benefits from a non-linear telling. The fx are not overly gory but sufficient to be convincing. Overall the film tells a decent story and wraps it up with a satisfying conclusion. Give it a try.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ChadS.

Jun 14, 2008

Maybe it's the effects of the signal, but the characters in "The Signal" find new ways to be stupid. First, there's Mya(Anessa Ramsey), who renders herself incognizant to blind spot attacks by insulating herself with cd player headphones(yay! Joy Division!), and then there's Maybe it's the effects of the signal, but the characters in "The Signal" find new ways to be stupid. First, there's Mya(Anessa Ramsey), who renders herself incognizant to blind spot attacks by insulating herself with cd player headphones(yay! Joy Division!), and then there's Rod(Sahr Ngaujah), who tries to save people from the sonically affected... BY TYING THEM UP?! Still, "Transmission 1: Crazy in Love" is the most successful, the most scary. There's a palpable atmosphere of doom that plays like a poor man's "28 Days Later". "Transmission 2: Jealousy Monster" unravels when Lewis(AJ Bowen) sprays poison in a woman's face, causing her features to deform; then in the mouth, causing her to die in agony. Unfortunately, this is supposed to play like the blackest comedy imaginable. Deadpan, dead woman, deadly unfunny. Her death is gross, and casts a considerable pall over the ensuing proceedings. "Transmission 3: Escape from Terminus" seems unambitious for what it doesn't do, which is, track down the signal. Ben(Justin Welborn) saves Mya from her husband, but we don't know what Lewis was like before he went crazy.… Expand

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Fantasy

Mar 1, 2008

This Signal is interrupted by ineptitude from the script, directing and acting. Otherwise it is fine! Avoid.

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