The Cell

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The Cell

R

Released Aug 18, 2000

1h 47m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

46%

Tomatometer

169 Reviews

57%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

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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Jake Cole

Slant Magazine

The film at times feels like an assembly of images that strives primarily for visceral impact, throwing cohesiveness to the wind.

Jan 3, 2025

Full Review

Andrew Pulver

Guardian

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

Apr 1, 2019

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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

Walter Chaw

Film Freak Central

I used to regard it as exploitation; now, it feels more like a deeply immersive Francis Bacon exhibit. Watching someone’s dreams should feel icky.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 5, 2025

Full Review

Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

... even with 25 extra years’ worth of life experience that includes becoming a parent, the ambiguity of the ending in terms of whether it’s right or wrong continues to hang in the air as potent as ever.

Jan 19, 2025

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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

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Larry L

Everthing about this was well done. The writing the sets the costumes and the actors make this a top notch movie. It's 25 y/o but this is great moving like nothing now a days

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/31/25

Full Review

Gregory S

This is a pretty incredible movie. Just truly wish they would have cast someone other than J Lo. She is just not a good actress.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/25/25

Full Review

K W

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/25/25

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Audience Member

The Cell is one of the most disturbing serial killer movies with amazing visuals and disturbing scenes. It's not a slasher film where many people get killed. It's a deep psychological serial killer horror film. More violent films are less disturbing to me. This film has a very dark atmosphere with no fun moments. Some probably won't like that or understand that. Film has very good characters and cinematography with nice emotional soundtrack. It's a unique film

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/16/25

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Gina R

A must-see for fans of dark psychological thrillers

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/16/25

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Amber B

Unique enough to give a watch. I thought it was well done for its time. They went an experimental/art project route with some elements and it fits with the theme. I absolutely love the fantastical costumes.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/10/25

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

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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
Screenwriter: Mark Protosevich
Distributor: New Line Cinema, Warner Home Vídeo
Production Co: Namibia Film Commission, Radical Media, New Line Cinema, Caro-McLeod, Avery Pix, Katira Productions GmbH & Co. KG
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
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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