The Signal 2014

As three MIT students - Jonah (no actor name provided), Nic (no actor name provided), and Haley (no actor name provided) - embark on a road trip to California, the dynamics between Nic and Haley begin to unravel. The strain stems from Nic’s increasing emotional distance, which he attributes to his fear of allowing his muscular dystrophy to define their relationship. Meanwhile, Jonah’s insatiable curiosity is piqued by the mysterious emails from NOMAD, the hacker who had previously targeted them at MIT.

Their journey takes an unexpected turn when they track down NOMAD to a deserted Nevada house, only to find Haley abducted and transported into a blindingly bright light along with Nic. Upon awakening in a sterile underground research facility, Nic finds himself adorned with a cryptic tattoo - 2.3.5.41 - and is subjected to questioning by Dr. Wallace Damon (no actor name provided), the enigmatic head of the “transition group”. As Nic struggles to comprehend his new reality, he’s shown footage of an otherworldly entity, or EBE, lurking behind a tree, its very existence challenging his understanding of the universe.

As Nic navigates this surreal landscape, he becomes increasingly desperate for answers about Haley’s condition, which Dr. Damon is reluctant to disclose. The stakes escalate when Jonah vanishes during the night, leaving behind a trail of scorch marks that seem to defy explanation. With Nic’s legs now numb and unresponsive, he must confront the harsh reality that his very identity has been rewritten.

In a daring move, Nic uses his new prosthetic limbs - infused with alien technology - to break free from captivity and rescue Haley, only to find themselves stranded in a desolate wasteland. The implications of their ordeal are left hanging in the balance, as Nic must confront the existential questions raised by this extraterrestrial encounter: Who is he now? What lies ahead for him and Haley? And what secrets will they uncover about their own humanity amidst an alien landscape?

As Nic and Haley navigate the seemingly endless canyon surrounding Area 51, they stumble upon Jonah, another victim of the alien technology that has ravaged their bodies. Disguised as a facility employee in a white HAZMAT suit, Jonah reveals his own prosthetic forearms and hands, speculation dawning on all three that they are indeed trapped within this extraterrestrial experiment. Nic’s discovery of alien implants in Haley’s spine confirms their worst fears, and the trio attempts to escape by driving up to a military checkpoint. However, their plan is foiled when Jonah, attempting to hack into the system, is fatally shot. In his final moments, he implores Nic and Haley to flee, sacrificing himself to give them a chance at survival.

With Jonah’s sacrifice, Nic and Haley manage to escape, but their freedom is short-lived as they soon encounter Damon and his military entourage. Damon’s true nature is revealed when he blows out the truck’s tires, forcing Nic and Haley to part ways - Haley is airlifted to safety beyond the canyon, while Nic is left behind, his bionic legs now a symbol of both empowerment and isolation.

As Nic struggles to come to terms with his new reality, he is met with a series of shocking revelations. Damon, once thought to be human, reveals himself to be a robotic alien, and Nic’s journey takes a profound turn as he finds himself on an alien space habitat numbered 2.3.5.41. The landscape beyond the canyon gives way to a breathtaking vista, as Nic realizes that they are about to dock at their home world, signaled by the piercing horn that has punctuated their odyssey.