🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: David R. Ellis
- Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
- Release year: 2004
- Runtime (length): 1h 34min
- IMDb rating: 6.5/10 (190k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 55%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A surfer dude gets stuck on a call with a kidnapped lady and has to commit a bunch of crimes to save her because her cell phone is about to die, and also there are corrupt cops.
🍿 Cellular: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Kidnapping
Jessica Martin, a biology teacher and mother, is kidnapped from her home after dropping her son off at school. She’s taken to an isolated attic where the kidnappers, led by the ruthless Ethan, intend to extract information from her. Ethan smashes the phone to prevent her from calling for help.

A Desperate Call
Using her knowledge of electronics, Jessica manages to repair the broken phone just enough to make a random call. The call connects to Ryan, a young man who’s recently been dumped by his girlfriend for being irresponsible. Initially, Ryan dismisses the call as a prank, but Jessica’s desperate pleas and the sounds of her captors convince him that she’s in real danger.

Race Against Time
Ryan becomes Jessica’s only hope as he navigates through a series of obstacles to try and rescue her and her family. With a dying cell phone battery and limited information, Ryan must race against time to find Jessica before it’s too late. He encounters skeptical police officers and increasingly dangerous situations.

Corrupt Cops
As Ryan investigates, it becomes clear that the kidnappers are not ordinary criminals but corrupt police officers led by Ethan. They are after a videotape that contains evidence of their illegal activities. This discovery escalates the danger and puts Ryan in direct conflict with law enforcement.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Jessica Martin (Kim Basinger): A kidnapped science teacher who desperately uses a broken phone to contact a stranger and save her family.
- Ryan (Chris Evans): A somewhat irresponsible young man who answers a call for help and becomes determined to rescue a kidnapped woman.
- Ethan (Jason Statham): The ruthless and determined leader of the corrupt cops responsible for the kidnapping.
- Sgt. Bob Mooney (William H. Macy): A retiring police sergeant who initially dismisses Ryan’s claims but ultimately helps him uncover the truth.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Jessica Martin: “Please, you have to help me! They’re going to kill me!” – Jessica pleads desperately with Ryan at the beginning of their call, establishing the urgency of her situation.
- Ryan: “This is insane. I’m gonna get killed!” – Ryan expresses his disbelief and fear as he becomes more deeply involved in Jessica’s predicament.
- Sgt. Bob Mooney: “I’m too old for this shit.” – Said by Mooney, reflecting his weariness with police work and the unexpected turn his day has taken.
- Ryan: “Don’t ever call me again.” – Ryan’s humorous closing line to Jessica after the ordeal, capping off their unlikely partnership.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $25,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $32,003,620
- Worldwide Gross: $57,678,321
💥 Cellular Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I saw this movie way back when it came out and I remember thinking it was such a fun ride. The whole idea of relying on a cell phone to save someone was really thrilling. Chris Evans was adorable and watching him try to keep the phone charged and help Kim Basinger was so intense. I especially loved the car chase scene and when he had to rob the store. It was a bit cheesy, sure, but a great popcorn movie.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of action-thriller movies”
- “Viewers who enjoy fast-paced plots”
- “People who like stories about ordinary people becoming heroes”
- “Fans of Chris Evans, Kim Basinger, and Jason Statham”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence and intense action sequences”
- “Strong language”
- “Brief scenes of peril and threat”
- “Suggestive content”
Professional Reviews
- Entertainment Weekly: “Cellular is a high-concept thriller that’s all concept and no thrill. Kim Basinger screams convincingly, but Chris Evans is too bland to carry the film. Jason Statham tries his best to be menacing, but the script lets him down.
- Rolling Stone: “Director David R. Ellis keeps the pace frantic, but the plot holes in Cellular are big enough to drive a truck through. William H. Macy is the only one who seems to be having any fun, and his presence can’t save this ridiculous movie.
- Los Angeles Times: “Cellular delivers some suspenseful moments, but the far-fetched storyline and reliance on action movie clichés make it hard to take seriously. Chris Evans shows promise, but the film as a whole is ultimately forgettable.
Audience Reactions
Chris Evans’ performance was a standout.: Most viewers found the movie to be a fun and entertaining thriller, despite its implausibilities.
The fast-paced action kept viewers engaged.: The constant action and suspense made it a thrilling viewing experience.
Overall Consensus: Cellular is a fast-paced but flawed thriller with some good performances, but ultimately suffers from a far-fetched plot.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Chris Evans performed his own car stunts in the film, undergoing five weeks of training at a stunt school in Los Angeles prior to production.”
- “The character Dana Bayback was originally written as a male character.”
- “Larry Cohen, who wrote the story for ‘Cellular’, also wrote the screenplay for ‘Phone Booth’, another thriller centered around a phone call.”
🖥️ How to Watch Cellular?
Cellular is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. You may also find DVD or Blu-ray copies available for purchase online or in stores. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Cellular, you might like these similar films:
- Phone Booth (2002): Shares the central theme of a protagonist trapped and guided by a phone call, creating suspense through limited communication.
- Speed (1994): Similar high-stakes, fast-paced action where a small mistake would cause death. The film focuses on the use of mobile technology and the difficulties involved.
- Taken (2008): Features a desperate parent racing against time to save their kidnapped family, highlighting themes of resourcefulness and determination.
- The Net (1995): Illustrates how technology can be used against individuals, leading to identity theft and putting the protagonist’s life in danger.
🛒 Cellular Related Products
- Nokia 3310 (Refurbished) – The Unbreakable Phone: A refurbished classic phone from Nokia. Indestructible like in the movie! Perfect for collectors and fans of the film.
- Cellular: The Graphic Novel Adaptation: Experience the high-octane thriller in graphic novel form. Featuring expanded scenes and behind-the-scenes content.
- Cellular – Limited Edition Movie Poster: A high-quality, limited edition movie poster featuring the iconic image from Cellular. Perfect for collectors.
- Cellular: The Board Game: A cooperative board game where players must work together to save Jessica Martin before time runs out! Race against the clock, manage resources, and outsmart the kidnappers!
🎧 Soundtrack
Cellular features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Cellular was primarily filmed in various locations around Los Angeles, California, including the Santa Monica Pier, which serves as the backdrop for the climactic scenes.
No, Cellular is a fictional story, though it incorporates elements of real-world concerns about technology and law enforcement corruption. Larry Cohen’s story explores the what-ifs related to cell phone technology.
Cellular explores themes of responsibility, courage, and the potential for ordinary people to rise to extraordinary circumstances. It also touches upon the dangers of corruption and the importance of communication technology in crisis situations.
Throughout the movie, Chris Evans uses a Nokia 6600, a popular smartphone at the time. The prominence of Nokia phones in the film is due to the product placement agreements.
🔥 Bonus Content
2.0 – Science behind Rajnikanth ‘s Movie | Mobile Phone Radiation Explained by Dhruv Rathee
Hey, have you seen the movie 2.0? If you’re curious about the science behind its plot, this video by Dhruv Rathee breaks down the concepts of mobile phone radiation and its effects, making it a fascinating watch for anyone interested in the science-fiction genre.
1940s BELL TELEPHONE “MOBILE TELEPHONES” MOVIE EARLY CELL PHONE / MOBILE TELEPHONE SYSTEM 90884
Did you know that mobile phones have been around for a lot longer than you might think? Check out this cool video that shows us how they worked in the 1940s, giving us a glimpse into the history of technology that led to the devices we use today.
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.