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Visual:		8.0
Audio:		7.5
Acting:		8.5
Writing:		8.0
Score:		8.5

Director(s):	David Bruckner • Dan Bush • Jacob Gentry
Writer(s):	David Bruckner, Dan Bush, Jacob Gentry
Starring:	Anessa Ramsey • A.J. Bowen • Justin Welborn • Scott Poythress
Genre:	Horror
Website:	http://www.doyouhavethecrazy.com
Release Date:	February 22, 2008
Rated:

Calling The Signal one of the most original horror movies in a long time isn\'t a stretch, because not only is the premise itself a brilliant spin on the usual doomsday scenario, but it has a pretty daring structure to it also.

The Signal is an anthology film that\'s not really an anthology film. Divided into three "transmissions," each directed by a different director, it\'s not like the typical anthology where three different stories are strung together. The Signal is one story, continuous, but each transmission deals with a different subject matter. The way writer/directors Dan Bush, Jacob Gentry and David Bruckner construct The Signal is pretty ingenious, as they\'re able to explore different genres and different perspectives without sacrificing a singularity.

The ordering of the transmissions is just as well thought-out. After a kick-in-the-pants non sequitur opening fashioned after a 70s exploitation film to grind you right into the thick of the horror, the first transmission drops you immediately into a moody, somber romance film—almost reminiscent of Wong Kar-Wai, especially with the repetitious use of one song—before the same moody, somber tone suddenly turns creepy as random people start killing each other because of a mysterious signal that\'s invading all broadcast devices. In this transmission, we follow Mya (Anessa Ramsey), who\'s cheating on her husband Lewis (A.J. Bowden) with Ben (Justin Welborn). Her escape from the apocalyptic frenzy sets off the quest for both men to go find her in their own stories, in the two following transmissions.

In each transmission, there\'s a slight shift in the horror direction, depending on the character in focus. Mya\'s segment is melancholic and the signal is still confusing, because Mya herself is confused about her relationship with her two men, which manifests in a suspenseful horror tone. The second one is notably different because it focuses on the unstable Lewis, and as such the segment itself is kooky, full of hilarious tongue-in-cheek humor and fantasy moments. A.J. Bowden gives a remarkable performance as Lewis; his comic timing here is just as sharp as his more menacing interpretation of Lewis in the other two segments. It gives us a breather to settle in, laugh, and enjoy… before we launch into the third transmission, which is essentially the third act, where the film has to end with a bang. We appropriately follow the angry and determined Ben as he fights off Lewis to get to Mya. This transmission is fast-paced, energetic and tragic at the same time, which is reflective of Ben\'s desire to be with Mya.

Each of these transmissions can hold their ground separately, but together they make up one great (and gory) love triangle.

The reason why The Signal feels so fresh of course has something to do with its structure, but it also has something to do with its treatment of the "crazies." It bears a visual resemblance to 28 Days Later in that the world is ending because people are being "infected" and turning into a homicidal mob, but The Signal treats its antagonists as humans, not mindless killing machines (or zombies). It\'s much more effective (and infinitely scarier) when there is a rationale behind all the killing. The Signal\'s premise is brilliant in its simplicity: everybody\'s just trying to survive. They\'re acting in self-defense, but if everyone\'s actively defending themselves, then there\'s only chaos.

It\'s a fascinating premise to talk about, because it\'s relevant to today\'s climate where we justify pre-emptive strikes and an eye for an eye. The Signal blames this as the attitude that will bring about the end of the world. For such a bloody film, its message is a pacifist one. It\'s refreshing also to see a horror film that doesn\'t hold back on the violence, but doesn\'t feel the need to be overly cynical and cruel. For all its bleakness and rowdiness, The Signal still believes in love as a source of strength, and that\'s cool too.

These three filmmakers have come out strong with a film that\'s unique and memorable to signal their entrance. The haunting cinematography and the surprisingly powerful cast of unknowns make this a horror film to pay attention to. It\'s brutal, but not without a good reason for it. See it, before you have the crazies too.