Synopsis/Details
When amateur astronomer Josh Wright sees strange blue lights in the sky, he doesn’t yet know that he’s observed the first phase of a devastating attack. Then comes an immediate power outage that also disables all electronic and mechanical devices. Heading downstairs, Josh finds that his poor dog has been killed by an energy bolt generated from his phone: a deadly strike meant for him. He realises that an alien force has weaponized the human race’s most prized possession.
Leaving home to seek help, Josh encounters another dead victim. When a passing hunter assumes he’s a murderer, he barely escapes with his life. His fortunes improve when he recruits a useful ally in the form of outdoorsman neighbour Dwight, who doesn’t even own a phone. Dwight does, however, have a horse and cart – useful when most other vehicles are out of commission. Heading into the local town, Pilkington, they team up with newbie police officer, Elise. She is only alive because her ex kept calling; she left her cell at home.
After surviving a dangerous encounter with a truck loaded with phones, the unlikely trio reach town. Desperate to contact her colleagues, Elise takes Josh into the local police station. While grabbing weapons and equipment, they are ambushed by criminal Michaels, who locks them in a storeroom before fleeing the scene. Thanks to Josh’s resourcefulness, the pair escape and discover a written message from the sheriff, directing them to Pilkington’s community center. Hundreds of survivors have gathered there but the center becomes a death trap when surrounded by phones and set ablaze. It seems that the attacking force behind the phones is evolving; manipulating them to attack in ever more novel and shocking ways. Powerless to help their fellow townsfolk, the devastated trio retreat. But they soon come across two people they can help: Harper Tanaka and her injured father are trapped above the family business – a phone shop. By harnessing a powerful industrial magnet and locating a generator, the team rescue the pair. In the aftermath, leaflets are dropped from the sky, directing them to the nearest military base.
This is Nelson’s Peak airbase but they find the entrance blocked by a soldier sent mad by a phone lodged in his skull. The situation worsens when the murderous man jumps in a tank and tries to run down the group. An unlikely saviour arrives in the form of a phone-swarm that descends and finishes off the crazed soldier. The group jump into an army truck and escape by hiding in a hangar.
As they plan their next move, a helicopter approaches the base, only to be downed by the swarm. Josh, Elise and Dwight rescue a survivor, Harris, who reveals that he was part of a mission to strike back against the enemy. Aboard the chopper is a Chinese Electro Magnetic Pulse device, intended for use against a communication relay located on Nelson’s Peak. This is how their foes are controlling the phones; destroying it could turn the tide. Deciding to finish the mission, the team is fortified by a new ally – the prisoner Michaels, who turns up to save Elise and Dwight from a tight corner.
Leaving Harper, her father and Harris, Josh and the others take the EMP up a treacherous trail, seeing off several phone attacks. As they near the relay, the largest swarm yet appears, striking in huge numbers. Defending themselves with guns and grenades, the team lose Dwight but eventually detonate the EMP. This disables not only the swarm but the relay, leaving the area safe.
The surviving trio meet Harper at the base of the mountain and find that she’s not alone. The Amish population of Pennsylvania – unaffected by phones and not reliant on technology – are on the move and helping their fellow Americans. Also present is a man with a working radio; Josh and the team can share news of their victory. The fightback against the alien invaders has begun.
