102 - The Signal

    In the city of Terminus, a signal goes out on TV, radio, and all phones, which messes with everyone's brains.  A couple having an affair, and her husband, make their way to the train station, hoping to put everything in order.
    That summary doesn't make the story clear.
    This movie is directed, and written by, the same three people.  Each of them got to write and direct a third of the movie.  Despite this, there's still a certain fluidity to the movie.  Each section has a slightly different tone, but the direction is similar.
    The first section sets up the characters, and covers the time just as the signal has started to affect people.  At first, it seems like everyone is just aimlessly violent, and looking to kill whoever is near.  As the story develops, and moves into the second part, it's made clear that things aren't as direct as that.  People aren't just violent, but they are paranoid, and they get easily confused.  This is also a hard thing to explain without seeing how things are directed.  People get confused about identity, not just who other people are, but they get confused about who they are.  People imagine things happening that can't happen - like a decapitated head being jump-started, requesting a cigarette, and providing information.
    The last act isn't as strong, but it's needed.  It brings some sense of closure to the movie.

    I've seen this movie three times now, and I'm always struck by how well it works.  It's confusing, and many things aren't answered, but it always feels like I'm getting the experience I should be getting.  Some people would be disappointed by the ambiguity of the story, or the obviousness of naming the city Terminus.  But I like how fun it is.  It's confusing without feeling like they just slapped it together.  The middle act is surprisingly violent.  And the whole thing remains in my head better than many modern horror movies.