Cell

Play trailer

2:30

Cell

R

2016

1h 38m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

11%

Tomatometer

56 Reviews

17%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

In a Boston airport, a character named Clay, played by Cusack, observes an electronic signal that causes cellphone users to commit acts of violence. Clay and a train driver, played by Jackson, travel through the city to locate Clay's family while avoiding the violent individuals.

Critics Consensus

Shoddily crafted and devoid of suspense, Cell squanders a capable cast and Stephen King's once-prescient source material on a bland rehash of zombie cliches.

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Steve Greene

IndieWire

Jan 1, 2017

C-

This is the undead equivalent of fast food. Some might find comfort in all these known quantities. Those looking for anything of substance would do better to wait for an upgrade.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Oct 10, 2016

1/5

A deeply silly horror movie.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Aug 28, 2016

2/5

The slapdash quality to the plotting is matched by the inept film-making - the dialogue is frequently inaudible, the night scenes murkily lit.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Apr 11, 2022

0.5/4

The film's lifelessness and sloppiness represent an all-time-low for King adaptations, which is saying something.

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Victoria Luxford

City AM

Feb 18, 2022

1/5

Cheap production values underline the suspicion that this started out as an earnest attempt to adapt the book, and devolved into a mediocre zombie film in a world overrun with mediocre zombie films.

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Jason Adams

My New Plaid Pants

Jul 6, 2021

It feels like they had one day too few too shoot it, one dollar too little, one hot cappuccino two degrees too cold delivered to John Cusack's trailer just a minute too late to put him in the right mood on the first day of shooting

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Green C

@Green242 18 hrs ago

Enjoyed it alot. Good story, good acting. Critics need to lighten up.

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Jason B

@RT82667558 Jul 13, 2026

If you like dystopian future…Cell hits the mark. The acting, story and ending are all Phenomenal! John Cusak and Samuel Jackson really raise the bar when it comes to the apocalypse. I don’t understand how this movie got bad reviews. Audiences now will watch and glorify all sorts of modern slop, but will criticize a movie like this? If you love dystopian apocalypse you will love cell. Shame on the bad ratings this movie is very good.

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Benta T

@RT50685134 Jun 14, 2026

If everyone says it's bad, I accept that, but for me it's a perfect masterpiece. I will watch it many times. Great, excellent, wonderful!!!!!

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Tony M.

@tonymedleyjuniorjr Jan 26, 2026

This is a strong Phobe. Sam Jackson and John Cusack try to run back the success of 2007's "1408" with 2016's "Cell". Unfortunately this "We have 28 Days Later" at home starts off strong but then drags through the rest of its run time. There was no tension in the film, and despite a strong head start, exposition takes a back seat in the third act. Who was the guy in the red hoodie?! How was he getting in people's dreams? The movie looks cheaply made, especially when it comes to the CGI. A bleak and nihilistic experience that left me feeling empty by the credits. Sam Jackson was on autopilot. Cusack is boring actor and his character was unlikable. 5HR: The Shawty Lo Jog the Phoners do. GD: Sam Jackson singing New Edition's"Mr Telephone Man"

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Harry D

@Dirty6Harry5 Jan 18, 2026

This movie is so messy it will actually push you to anger as you desperately try to grasp the plot. You can almost hear the echo of the director saying "that will do" as you finish scene after screen. Just another Steven King adaptation that desperately hopes you don't ask the question "why is that happening?" because it's not going to be giving you an explanation.

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Dean S.

@DeanDFW Dec 29, 2025

It’s a good movie: you have to actually pay attention and be OK with an ending that keeps you guessing (until it dawns you on what happened). Never read the book: might consider it.

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Tod Williams

Director

John Cusack

Clay Riddell

Samuel L. Jackson

Tom McCourt

Isabelle Fuhrman

Alice Maxwell

Owen Teague

Jordan

Clark Sarullo

Sharon Riddell

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Synopsis

In a Boston airport, a character named Clay, played by Cusack, observes an electronic signal that causes cellphone users to commit acts of violence. Clay and a train driver, played by Jackson, travel through the city to locate Clay's family while avoiding the violent individuals.

Director: Tod Williams
Producer: Richard Saperstein, Michael Benaroya, Brian Witten, Shara Kay
Screenwriter: Stephen King, Adam Alleca
Distributor: Saban Films
Production Co: Benaroya Pictures, Genre Company
Rating: R (Disturbing Violent Content|Brief Sexuality|Language|Terror)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 8, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 29, 2016
Runtime: 1h 38m

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