The film's theatrical trailer features stock footage from the original Japanese version of it, also named Kairo (2001). One scene in particular features a plane crash. The scene was re-done for this Americanized remake.
In an interview with Fangoria magazine, Wes Craven personally disowned the film and said that he hated it. His original screenplay for the film was significantly altered by screenwriter Ray Wright with various re-writes, and the final version of the film barely even resembled his original vision for it. He also ultimately claimed that he had no involvement in said final version of the film.
In the film Oublie Sarah Marshall (2008), also starring Kristen Bell, during the dinner scene, a film very similar in plot to Pulse is talked about that Sarah was in. It is humorously referred to as a terrible film with a ridiculous premise.
Bob Weinstein and Harvey Weinstein were initially hesitant to produce this film, considering it to be too similar to Le cercle (2002) in its story. Both films are Americanized remakes of classic Japanese horror films.
Wes Craven was once set to direct the film, but was forced to quit before production even began because of the lengthy re-shots on Maléfice (2005), which led it to be officially scrapped at one point in its making.