[Film Review] Broadcast Signal Intrusion (2021)

Broadcast Signal Intrusion (2021) follows James (Harry Shum Jr.) as he searches for answers about his wife who went missing a few years ago in 90s Chicago.

During his job as a video architect, converting taped video broadcasts into digital records, James finds an odd signal hijacking showing a creepy rubber android featuring some seriously unsettling noises. James delves deeper into the mystery surrounding these hijackings or Broadcast Signal Intrusions and how they link to his own life.

The joys of this film are the unexpected choices which keep you engaged. Setting the film in the late 90s is a great choice because it doesn’t feel too long ago but is also 20 years – and as trends come around again, the costume design isn’t far off the fashion of today. It also brings to the forefront the misconception that conspiracy theories are a modern day phenomena. Broadcast Signal Intrusion demonstrates how conspiracies can permeate without the need for technology- especially social media- and have done so for decades. Ultimately, conspiracies are human nature’s attempts at finding explanations for moments which have gaps - which is exactly what we see the film’s protagonist doing. It feels very human, maybe in ways we don’t want to admit to ourselves.

The score is also an unexpected choice in the most brilliant way. Composer Ben Lovett manages to bring film noir and timelessness to the landscape, rather than perhaps the more expected synth of modern day horrors and thrillers. If nothing else, seek out the score. To add to the strength of the timelessness of the story, the films’ poster which I have included at the top, is one of the best I have seen in a good while. I am hoping this will be available to be on a t-shirt. 

Harry Shum Jr’s performance as James is quite subtle for the most part, acting as our sympathetic lead, at least in the beginning. As we follow him into the mystery behind the signal intrusions, and his pursuit for the truth, we are on his side, we understand his motivations. However, as the theory twists and turns, Shum Jr matches the paranoia energy as James alienates his allies as well as the audience. 

The ending will divide viewers. It did not personally resonate for me and I was left with more questions than answers that hinder my full enjoyment of the film. But perhaps that is the nature of conspiracy theories. They are only theories until we know all the answers.

At Celluloid Screams 2021, I grabbed a chat with Co-Screenwriter of Broadcast Signal Intrusion Phil Drinkwater and Producer Giles Edwards understanding the influences of the story and how the film evokes lates 90s nostalgia. You can read my review of Broadcast Signal Intrusion here

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