Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘The Signal’

Written by Scott Edwards

What do you do when the TV signal goes to static? Do you keep watching, hoping that it comes back on soon or do you turn it off since white noise is not pleasing to you? Some people need to have that background noise on all the time, it does not matter what it is as long as it is there. Admittedly, I am one of those people that need to have the noise in the background, but usually it is some sort of show and when the TV signal goes out, I just suffer in silence.

Lewis and Mya Denton are in a tough time when it comes to their marriage as Mya is looking for something more. Finding it in the arms of another man, she is afraid of what Lewis might do if he ever finds out about her affair. Returning home after a night cut short with her new man, she manifests a lie to tell her husband who knows that there is something going but is not able to pinpoint it right then and there.

When Mya is being confronted by her husband, she notices that the TV set is on but there is not a show playing, just some sort of static coming across. Getting in a fight, Mya puts on her headphones and tries to leave the apartment, only to find that there is something wrong with everyone on the street. Returning home, she finds that her husband is tied up and has a crazed look in his eye. Not knowing what to do, she runs out and bumps into one of his friends that seems to understand what is going on in the outside world.

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​A signal is being transmitted through regular media outlets that is turning people crazy but there seems to be a rationale behind it. As friends turn on friends, loved ones turn on their significant others, and strangers are just killing to stay safe, Mya finds that she needs to leave town before she is targeted. Staying safe from the signal that seems to be changing everyone’s perspective, she is content just listening to her music and working her way towards the train station to leave town, but she is being sought after by Lewis and her new lover to make sure she is okay.

The Signal follows a group of friends on New Year’s Eve that have to battle with their own inner demons all while dealing with a signal that is broadcasting that brings out the worst in the people that hear it. As long time friends turn against one another resulting in someone’s death, there does not seem to be a way to make the infected person right once again. Trying to find another person that has not been infected with the urge to kill seems to be next to impossible, but a group of friends find a way to co-exist while others are going crazy right outside of their door. With so much death on the streets outside, there seems to be only one way to escape the new found blood lust and that is to leave town.

A great and disturbing movie to say the least. With so much going on and a group of friends trying to keep their wits together while everyone is killing everyone else, it shows how people can continue to trust in the worst times. There are plenty of scenes to make you cringe and wonder why it is happening, but there is also enough levity for you to wonder if this is just all in their heads. This has been added to my list of movies to watch over again 

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