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The Cell

Play trailer 2:21 Poster for The Cell R 2000 1h 47m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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46% Tomatometer 168 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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The Cell

The Cell

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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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Critics Reviews

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Jake Cole Slant Magazine 01/03/2025
The film at times feels like an assembly of images that strives primarily for visceral impact, throwing cohesiveness to the wind. Go to Full Review
Andrew Pulver Guardian 04/01/2019
Jazzy photography and fancy design in no way compensate for a dull, suspense-free screenplay and unwise casting. Go to Full Review
Andrew Sarris Observer 04/01/2019
Ultimately, the reliance on a dream world tends to reduce suspense and even narrative logic. Thus, everything is possible and nothing is necessary. Go to Full Review
Walter Chaw Film Freak Central Aug 5
3/4
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. Go to Full Review
Douglas Davidson Elements of Madness 01/19/2025
... 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. Go to Full Review
Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 09/05/2023
3.5/4
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. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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power e @torturecide 1d 一部视觉奇诡的心理惊悚片,其叙事结构天然契合精神分析的诊疗模型。影片将意识探索具象化为一场降入他人无意识深渊的旅程,治疗师凯瑟琳如同精神分析师,潜入连环杀手卡尔·斯塔格扭曲的内在世界——那里充斥着宗教受难意象、人偶化的女性躯体与童年创伤的碎片。 拉康式的"实在界"在此显影:杀手的精神地景并非隐喻,而是创伤的直接呈现。被溺毙的男孩、玻璃箱中的男童、机械化的人偶——这些意象构成了一条清晰的欲望链条,指向那个被父亲性虐待的原初场景。影片的哥特式美学恰是无意识的视觉语法,扭曲的人体与液态空间揭示了主体性的崩解。 然而,治疗关系的倒置颇具症候性:分析师反被分析对象"捕获",在移情与反移情的漩涡中,她必须直面自身阴影才能完成救赎。这种双重侵入——既是对他者无意识的考古,亦是自我深渊的凝视——构成了电影最精妙的辩证:治愈的可能,诞生于分析师甘愿成为欲望的客体,并在那个恐怖的原初场景中,重写创伤的剧本。 See more Jens B @Jens97 Jan 17 On a plot level, this sci-fi thriller leaves something to be desired, but "The Cell" impresses with its visual appeal and dense atmosphere. The actors do a good job; even Jennifer Lopez isn't half bad. See more Saintly S. @saintlysinner Dec 17 This movie is nothing short of mesmerizing. Its visuals are both beautiful and deeply unsettling, pulling you into a surreal dreamscape that feels more like a descent into a fractured mind than a traditional horror film. Every frame lingers, every image haunts. It’s the kind of movie that doesn’t just tell a story—it immerses you in it. I truly don’t think this film gets the recognition it deserves. It’s one of the most visually stunning and uniquely told horror films I’ve ever seen, and it’s firmly cemented as one of my favorites. Follow us on Facebook for more reviews and horror content: Saintly Sinner See more Susie C Nov 7 This film sits with me, even 25 years later. Stunning and unforgettable See more Starla R Oct 31 Rotten Tomatoes is a sham!!! This is a brilliant movie, one of the most beautifully done movies I've ever seen. It is so underrated and misunderstood. They don't make movies like this anymore! Definitely watch this, it is definitely worth your time...at least to see how movies are meant to be done... See more TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch Oct 21 The Cell is one of those films that surprises you—not because it’s flawless, but because it ventures into something different. Jennifer Lopez, known more for her action and dramatic roles, really steps into a creepy, psychological horror space here. While she isn’t reinventing the wheel as an actor, she carries the film with a presence and intensity that keeps you engaged. It’s weird, visually striking, and at times completely mind-bending, which is something not often seen from her performances. The screenplay, however, has its flaws. It’s uneven, with some sequences that could’ve been tightened or better structured to maintain tension. Certain elements feel overcomplicated, and at times the story’s internal logic gets a little muddled. But for horror movies, there’s always some leeway—you either get a memorable concept or something completely forgettable. Here, the film lands in the former category. Visually and thematically, the movie is bold. The director does a commendable job of blending surreal imagery with horror elements, creating a film that is unsettling in ways that stick with you. The art direction, the dreamlike sequences, and the sense of diving into a warped psyche all work in favor of the story, even if the narrative isn’t perfect. Lopez’s performance is arguably the centerpiece. She brings a credibility and tension to her character that elevates the material beyond what the script offers. She manages to make the audience invested in a story that otherwise might feel hollow. The “creepy factor” is largely her doing, and it’s impressive that she carries this weight effectively. Ultimately, The Cell lands solidly in the “good, not great” range. It’s engaging, unsettling, and visually striking, but it doesn’t quite achieve classic status. The character Lopez portrays could have been more memorable if the story gave her more substance, but her performance alone makes it worth watching. In conclusion, while The Cell isn’t perfect and may fade from memory over time, it’s a standout example of a horror film elevated by its lead actress. Jennifer Lopez gives it a surprising edge, turning a flawed script into something worth experiencing. See more Read all reviews
The Cell

My Rating

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Movie Info

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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