Pulse 3 (2008) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

In a world haunted by an Internet-spread plague, Justine's search for connection forces her to confront the dangers of technology and the ghosts it can bring back.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Forbidden Connection

In a world devastated by an Internet-spread plague, Justine longs to leave her refugee camp. She discovers a working laptop, contacts Adam, and sets out for Houston.

Key Events

• The Invasion's Aftermath — Seven years into the invasion, cities are abandoned and a plague spread through the Internet has killed billions. Characters: Adam, Salwa Location: Abandoned cities
• Salwa's Infection — Adam's girlfriend Salwa is hit by an infection and dies by suicide. Characters: Adam, Salwa Location: Unspecified
• The Refugee Camp — Justine dreams of leaving the squalid camp, where technology is taboo. Characters: Young Justine Location: Refugee camp
• The Working Laptop — Justine discovers a working laptop and opens it despite the taboo on technology. Characters: Young Justine Location: Refugee camp
• Adam's Online Message — Justine chats with Adam, who wants to meet her in Houston. Characters: Young Justine, Adam Location: Online chat

The Road Through the Ghosts

Justine's journey is interrupted when an older farmer imprisons her. His wife's ghost infects him, and Justine is allowed to continue toward the city.

Key Events

• Journey Toward Houston — Justine leaves the camp and travels toward the city. Characters: Young Justine Location: Road to Houston
• The Farmer Imprisons Justine — An older farmer imprisons Justine during her journey. Characters: Young Justine Location: Farmer's property
• The Wife's Ghost Returns — The farmer brings back his wife's ghost, which infects him and allows Justine to leave. Characters: Young Justine Location: Farmer's property

Houston's Dangerous Research

In Houston, Justine encounters the Man With A Plan, who experiments on ghosts and confines her with one. She creates an opening that lets the ghost escape, and he is infected and dies by suicide.

Key Events

• Houston — Justine reaches Houston after escaping the farmer. Characters: Young Justine Location: Houston
• The Ghost Experimenter — The Man With A Plan experiments on ghosts and discovers their sensitivity to infrared light. Characters: Young Justine, Man With A Plan Location: Man With A Plan's apartment
• Justine Is Imprisoned — The Man With A Plan locks Justine in a room with a ghost that does not attack her. Characters: Young Justine, Man With A Plan Location: Room in the apartment
• The Ghost Escapes — Justine peels a small hole in the window covering, allowing the ghost to escape. Characters: Young Justine, Man With A Plan Location: Room in the apartment
• The Man's Death — The escaped ghost infects the Man With A Plan, who then commits suicide. Characters: Young Justine, Man With A Plan Location: Man With A Plan's apartment

Adam's Human Return

Justine meets Adam and learns that he is a ghost. Her laptop helps him regain human form, but his self-centered and dangerous tendencies lead her to destroy the device and keep its USB stick.

Key Events

• Adam Revealed as a Ghost — Justine meets Adam and discovers he is a ghost. Characters: Young Justine, Adam Location: Houston
• Adam Returns to Human Form — With Justine's help and the recharged laptop, Adam returns to human form. Characters: Young Justine, Adam Location: Houston
• Justine Rejects the Laptop — Seeing Adam's sociopathic tendencies as dangerous, Justine smashes the laptop and removes a USB stick. Characters: Young Justine, Adam Location: Houston

The Pursuit and Its End

The Man With A Plan follows Justine in ghost form and tries to infect her as she returns to the camp. Explosions across Earth make the ghosts disappear, and Justine's voice-over says civilization returned.

Key Events

• The Ghostly Pursuit — The Man With A Plan follows Justine in ghost form and tries to infect her. Characters: Young Justine, Man With A Plan Location: Road back to the refugee camp
• Explosions End the Pursuit — Explosions appear across Earth, the ghosts disappear, and Adam is taken as well. Characters: Young Justine, Adam, Man With A Plan Location: Earth
• Civilization Returns — Justine's voice-over says civilization returned. Characters: Young Justine Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• A Ruined World — The invasion has emptied cities, while survivors avoid technology.
  • Internet Plague — A plague spread through the Internet has killed billions.
  • Salwa's Death — Adam's girlfriend Salwa is infected and commits suicide.
• The Forbidden Laptop — Justine's discovery of a working computer opens a path out of the camp.
  • Camp Restrictions — Technology is taboo in Justine's refugee camp.
  • Online Contact — Justine chats with Adam through the laptop.
• The Houston Journey — Justine travels toward the city to meet Adam.
  • Leaving Camp — Justine sets out after Adam asks her to meet him in Houston.
  • Farmer's Captivity — An older farmer imprisons Justine during her journey.
• The Farmer's Ghost — The farmer's wife's ghost changes the course of Justine's captivity.
  • Ghost Returns — The farmer brings back his wife's ghost.
  • Escape Granted — The ghost infects the farmer and allows Justine to leave.
• Experiments in Houston — The Man With A Plan's research places Justine in danger.
  • Infrared Discovery — He learns that ghosts feel pain from infrared light.
  • Room Imprisonment — He locks Justine in a room with a non-attacking ghost.
• The Ghost Escapes — Justine's action releases the ghost and leads to the man's death.
  • Window Opening — Justine peels a small hole in the protective window cover.
  • Infection and Suicide — The ghost infects the Man With A Plan, who commits suicide.
• Adam's Return — Justine helps Adam regain a human form, then decides the technology is too dangerous.
  • Ghost Revealed — Justine meets Adam and learns that he is a ghost.
  • Laptop Destroyed — Justine smashes the laptop and removes its USB stick after recognizing the danger.
• The Final Pursuit — A ghostly threat follows Justine until widespread explosions end the ghost presence.
  • Man Follows — The Man With A Plan pursues Justine in ghost form and tries to infect her.
  • Civilization Returns — Explosions make the ghosts disappear, and Justine says civilization returned.

Directed by

Joel Soisson

Key Cast

• Rider Strong — Adam
• Noureen DeWulf — Salwa
• Karley Scott Collins — Young Justine
• Brittany Finamore — Justine
• Georgina Rylance — Michelle