Kiyoshi Kurosawa's terrifying techno J-horror Pulse (known as Kairo in its native Japanese) is finally getting the 4K UHD treatment courtesy of Umbrella Entertainment.
Released in 2001, Pulse stars Kumiko Asō, Haruhiko Kato and Koyuki as a group of young people haunted by ghosts that seem to be seeping out of the boundaries of the Internet and into the real world:
Set in a Tokyo grappling with a mysterious and eerie phenomenon, Pulse follows a group of friends and acquaintances as they encounter an unsettling presence emerging from their computers and other electronic devices. Is their friend trying to contact them from beyond the grave, or is there something much more sinister afoot? Soon, there are more strange deaths and disappearances within the group, terrifying rooms sealed in red tape, and the appearance of more ghosts as the city of Tokyo—and the world—is slowly drained of life.
From Umbrella:
Often referred to as one of the scariest films ever made, PULSE (Kairo) directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Cure, Tokyo Sonata), sees technology and supernatural terror intertwine in a chilling narrative. With its innovative approach and unsettling atmosphere, PULSE explores the dark side of technology and the human psyche, making it a haunting and thought-provoking experience. Prepare for a suspenseful journey that will leave you questioning the boundaries between reality and the unknown.
Considered as one of the defining films of the J-horror boom (alongside Hideo Nakata's Ring and Takashi Shimizu's Ju-On), Pulse is perhaps most famous for containing one of the most skin-crawling ghost scenes in all of horror history. If you've seen it, you know exactly what we're talking about.
While Pulse has received a Blu-ray release before, Umbrella's release marks the first time the film has been upgraded to 4K UHD.
Umbrella's stacked Collector's Edition is a limited edition numbered release, with the following special features and exciting extras:
- Worldwide first new HDR 4K feature film
- A 150+ page hardback book with behind-the-scenes, experiences and art
- Classic poster artwork rigid case
- Classic poster artwork slipcase
- 8 artcards
- A3 reversible poster
- Limited Edition Numbered release
- NEW! Ghost in the Machine: An Interview with Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa
- NEW! Audio Commentary with critic and writer Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
- NEW! Apocalypse of Alienation: Gazing into the Abyss in Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Pulse – an Audio essay by Anton Bitel
Pulse is available for pre-order now via Umbrella Entertainment for a December 4 release.
If you're headed to Fantastic Fest this year, you can check out Kurosawa's latest genre offering, Cloud.
