The Cell

R

Released Aug 18, 2000

1 hr. 47 min.

Mystery & Thriller

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for The Cell: Trailer 1

List

45%

166 Reviews

Tomatometer

57%

100,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

"The Cell" takes a shocking, riveting mind trip into the dark and dangerous corridors of a serial killer's psyche -- a psyche that holds the key to saving the killer's final, trapped victim who remains alive. Making this journey into the recesses of a killer's nightmarish fantasy world is Catherine Deane, a psychologist who has been experimenting with a radical new therapy. Through a new transcendental science, Catherine can experience what is happening in another person's unconscious mind.

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Critics Consensus

The Cell offers disturbing, stunning eye candy, but its visual pleasures are no match for a confused storyline that undermines the movie's inventive aesthetic.

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BigD J

This film gets a lot of reviews claiming it's heinous, disturbing, vile, etc. Trust me, there are plenty of films out there that are much more difficult to stomach. Probably a bunch of J-Lo fans not used to horror. I've found many films on the topic of schizophrenia fascinating. The film was definitely sadistic. Kinda Silence of the Lambs meets Inception. It had mostly dark undertones with moments of peace, calm, and empathy for the proverbial serial killer who was badly abused, as a child. Visuals were stunning, acting was pretty good. D'Onofrio plays the ultimate psychotic villain in many roles he plays in, throughout his career. The plot itself is kinda meh. I'd say the ratings on this film are pretty accurate. Not spectacular by a long shot, but respectable and entertaining.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/02/24

Full Review

Taylor S

I typically don't just jump into visuals, but for "The Cell," I feel like it's a must. Tarsem Singh, known for his background in music videos, is so obvious from the opening scene. He brings a distinct and visually stunning style to "The Cell." The dream sequences and the alternate reality within the killer's mind are visually arresting, featuring elaborate set designs and mesmerizing costumes that contribute to the film's overall aesthetic appeal. The alternate reality within the killer's mind is a kaleidoscope of surreal and fantastical imagery. The cinematography team created a visual feast, using elaborate set designs, intricate costumes, and symbolic motifs to convey the twisted psyche of the antagonist. I often found myself rewinding to ensure that I captured every element of the scene. There was a mix of practical effects and CGI (not overdone) to bring the fantastical elements to life, contributing to the film's overall immersive experience. The contrast between hot and cold elements of both worlds keeps me drawn in, afraid to miss what comes next. Each frame seems meticulously crafted, drawing inspiration from art, mythology, and religious iconography. Singh's inventive use of camera angles and movement further elevates the film's visual impact. From sweeping aerial shots to intense close-ups, the cinematography successfully captures the emotional intensity of the narrative. The juxtaposition of visually stunning sequences with darker, psychological themes creates a unique cinematic experience. By focusing on the visuals and cinematography, it enhances the film's shortcomings in other aspects, such as the plot. While I still feel like Rotten Tomatoes was hating so hard, I can see why the rating is so low. The plot was a bit empty. The storyline was overshadowed by leaving out the main goal of the plot, cohesiveness, structure, and unfortunately, character development. The transitions between the real world and the dream sequences might feel disjointed, making it challenging for some viewers to connect with the overarching story. This uneven pacing can result in moments where the plot seems to lag or lose momentum. While I loved the cast, the characters themselves lack the depth required for a psychological thriller. It was challenging to emotionally invest in the characters, impacting the overall impact of the narrative. Honestly, I believe that if there was a bit more focus on character development, it could've drastically changed the movie and how critics viewed it. But all of that aside, I circle back: the visuals were so breathtaking that with a bit of imagination, context clues, and love for a theatre experience, this movie is a masterpiece for what it is and was one of my favorites to watch recently.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/19/24

Full Review

Jing-Tang J

Nice visuals with below-average screenplay.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/20/24

Full Review

Alec B

The screenplay is utter nonsense, but Tarsem's imagery is always compelling

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/05/24

Full Review

Dan R

Venturing back to 2020 I decided to step back into the twisted world of 'The Cell'. SYNOPSIS: 'An F.B.I. Agent persuades a social worker, who is adept with a new experimental technology, to enter the mind of a comatose serial killer in order to learn where he has hidden his latest kidnap victim.' 'The Cell' is a beautifully warped film which delves into areas which had never really been put onto the big screen at the time of its release. Yes, some of the CGI effects look wonky and dated now, but at the time they were ground breaking. Like our own dreams and nightmares the movie's settings are littered with distorted thoughts, ideas and desires. And things get pretty fucked up here, bordering on something out of the 'Saw' franchise. It's a truly stunning and gnarly piece of work. Whilst Jennifer Lopez fumbles through her role Vincent D'Onofrio is absolutely exceptional as the film's antagonist. Possibly a career best performance. An absolute mind bender of a thriller. 7/10

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/22/23

Full Review

Ne Bu L

I don't know how this film has such a mediocre rating... It an absolute visual and audio masterpiece, and literally one of a kind in its delivery!! I can only guess that the grim imagery and disorientating dream like quality to much of the movie were to much for the average viewer!!! But the fact that the RT critics themselves scored this so low is a total disservice to their own legitimacy. This is a deeply extravagant, wildly unsettling artistic journey into psychosis and paranoid imagination, with a visual style mostly unrivalled in cinema!!! If Silence of the Lambs was some kind of high-tech laboratory acid trip this is what you'd get...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/07/23

Full Review

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Tarsem Singh

Director

Jennifer Lopez

Catherine Deane

Vince Vaughn

FBI Agent Peter Novak

Vincent D'Onofrio

Carl Stargher

Jake Weber

FBI Agent Gordon Ramsey

Dylan Baker

Henry West

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The Cell: Trailer 1

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Andrew Pulver

Guardian

Jazzy photography and fancy design in no way compensate for a dull, suspense-free screenplay and unwise casting.

Apr 1, 2019

Full Review

Andrew Sarris

Observer

Ultimately, the reliance on a dream world tends to reduce suspense and even narrative logic. Thus, everything is possible and nothing is necessary.

Apr 1, 2019

Full Review

David Edelstein

Slate

The Cell is pretty silly. But I admired its cinematic ambition until the final scenes.

Apr 1, 2019

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The Cell is a beautiful picture, which, should the viewer opt to disconnect themselves from its run-of-the-mill formula, will bring a sense of wonderment.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 5, 2023

Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

The nightmarish visuals are undeniably effective but nothing else in the film manages to match the atmospheric experience.

Rated: 2/5

May 12, 2023

Full Review

Trace Thurman

Horror Queers Podcast

Tarsem Singh's vision in The Cell is unparalleled. It's a truly stunning and gnarly piece of work.

Rated: 4.5/5

Dec 30, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

"The Cell" takes a shocking, riveting mind trip into the dark and dangerous corridors of a serial killer's psyche -- a psyche that holds the key to saving the killer's final, trapped victim who remains alive. Making this journey into the recesses of a killer's nightmarish fantasy world is Catherine Deane, a psychologist who has been experimenting with a radical new therapy. Through a new transcendental science, Catherine can experience what is happening in another person's unconscious mind.

Director: Tarsem Singh
Executive Producer: Donna Langley, Carolyn Manetti
Screenwriter: Mark Protosevich
Distributor: New Line Cinema, Warner Home Vídeo
Production Co: Namibia Film Commission, Katira Productions GmbH & Co. KG, New Line Cinema, Radical Media, Avery Pix, Caro-McLeod
Rating: R (Nudity|Language|Sexual Content|Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 18, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $61.3M
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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