Chosen as one of the 25 most talked-about series at the prestigious MIPTV event in Cannes, France, according to The Hollywood Reporter, "Pulse" has garnered significant attention. Filmed in South Africa and Mauritius, this captivating series revolves around an international group of game creators who confront a life-altering reality when an electromagnetic pulse bomb disrupts every electrical circuit in their office tower, triggering both chaos and an unprecedented shift in human perception.
Tarryn Wyngaard, a SAFTA award winner, takes on the role of Jaz, the creator of an indie game that receives a transformative mainstream reboot. Reflecting on the uniqueness of "Pulse," she emphasises the groundbreaking nature of the scripts penned by Stephen Clarke, noting their extraordinary and distinctive qualities.
Thapelo Mokoena, another SAFTA winner, plays a role contrasting his established persona—a narcissistic producer who also happens to be Jaz's ex. Expressing his excitement, he asserts that "Pulse" stands apart from any other project he's been part of throughout his two-decade-long career.
Featuring talents such as Sven Ruygrok and Carel Nel, with appearances from esteemed figures like Albert Pretorius and Laré Birk, the series boasts a remarkable ensemble cast. This six-episode survival horror, directed by the accomplished Sallas de Jager, takes viewers on an intense journey, exploring emotional survival and authenticity within the horror genre.
Produced by Emmy winner Steve Lanning and set within a seemingly ordinary office high-rise, "Pulse" transforms into a surreal and eerie setting, skillfully designed by the SAFTA-winning production designer Waldemar Coetsee. Supported by visionary visual effects teams, the series merges the familiar with the supernatural to elicit relatable apprehension among viewers.
Reflecting the authentic fear experienced on screen, the cast shared instances of genuine frights during filming, contributing to the show's immersive nature. Tarryn Wyngaard recollects moments when on-set pranks and unexpected bangs created an atmosphere of both fear and camaraderie, adding to the show's memorable behind-the-scenes dynamics.
Within the context of the global pandemic, "Pulse" emerges as an outlet for catharsis, allowing audiences to release anxiety in a shared space where fear is not only accepted but embraced. The series stands as the latest addition to a lineage of internationally acclaimed South African horrors, resonating with the universal human experience of apprehension and unease.
Catch the 36 hour marathon of Pulse premiering 27 Oct, from 6:00PM (GMT+8) on ROCK Entertainment.
