Hospitals are always great for spooky ambiance. Long shots of dark corridors, sparsely lit with the glow of machines make us feel uneasy. That the only character – played by Coralie Denis – can do little more than squirm in her bed, restricted by her injuries, is a testament to making the most out of a single location.
Hospital Horror
The film opens with the patient calling her romantic partner, leaving a voicemail explaining her predicament. The phone screen is shattered, and we can assume it happened in the accident. As the battery on the phone dies, she struggles to reach the power outlet. Her mobility is infringed with various medical tubes and braces, effectively imprisoning her badly damaged body to the bed.
It seems routine, and one may assume it’s a love story dealing with the couple after a bad accident. Until she hears a strange noise coming from the shadowy hallway. Then another from somewhere in the umbrae of the room. And finally, under the bed.
Excellent Cinematography
Jérôme Pierrat does a masterful job at delivering the scares. The noises the woman hears are subtle yet jarring enough to perk up. The score, handled by Bertrand Le Roy and Stéphane Grégoire is fluid, working in perfect synchronization with the tension. The patient is immobile. She uses the phone’s video recorder to see what is under the bed and it’s a spine-tingling moment.
‘Signal’ is a quick watch and a great way to prep for horror movie season. Its well worth the eight-minute investment of time.
