Cell Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson fight phone zombies because Stephen King decided to be mad at technology for a minute.

🍿 Cell: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Pulse

Clay Riddell, an artist, is at Boston Logan International Airport hoping to reconnect with his estranged son. Suddenly, a high-pitched signal, known as ‘The Pulse,’ is transmitted through cell phone networks, turning anyone using a cell phone into a violent, mindless being, or ‘Phoner’. Chaos erupts as Phoners attack the uninfected, and Clay finds himself caught in the middle of an apocalyptic event. The sudden chaos and violence paints a bleak picture of a society instantly collapsing under the weight of technology.

Forming Alliances

Clay teams up with Tom McCourt, a former military man, and Alice Maxwell, a young woman who witnessed her mother’s violent death. They decide to band together for safety, navigating the increasingly dangerous landscape of Boston. They quickly learn that the ‘Phoners’ are drawn to cell towers and seem to follow a collective consciousness. Their journey is fraught with peril as they try to avoid the ever-present threat of the Phoners and uncover the mystery behind the signal.

The Gaitan Academy

The group seeks refuge at Gaitan Academy, a boarding school, where they meet Headmaster Charles Ardai and a student named Jordan. Ardai explains his theory that the Pulse has turned humanity into a hive mind, a single organism working towards a common goal. The group witnesses thousands of Phoners converging on a nearby field, ‘recharging’ at night. This discovery leads to a desperate plan to stop the Phoners, using gasoline-filled trucks, but the plan backfires tragically, resulting in Ardai’s death and forcing the group to flee.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Clay Riddell (John Cusack): A determined artist and father who embarks on a perilous journey to reunite with his son after a cataclysmic event.
• Tom McCourt (Samuel L. Jackson): A former train conductor who joins Clay, providing strength and experience to survive the crisis.
• Alice Waxman (Isabelle Fuhrman): A young woman traumatized by the event, who accompanies Clay and Tom and adding a layer of emotional vulnerability to their group.
• Johnny Riddell (Ethan Andrew Casto): Clay’s young son, who becomes the central motivation for Clay’s dangerous journey across the apocalyptic landscape.
• Raggedy Man (Joshua Mikel): The mysterious figure in the red hoodie who is the supposed leader of the phoners.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Tom McCourt: “Clay, I’m really sorry about your family.” – Tom expresses his sympathy for Clay’s situation at the beginning of their journey.
• Clay Riddell: “Don’t be sorry because there is nothing to be sorry about yet.” – Clay responds, showing his determination to find his son and maintain hope.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10 million
• Domestic Gross: $241,407
• Worldwide Gross: $1,323,012

💥 Cell Reviews

Personal Review

I went into ‘Cell’ hoping for a thrilling, tech-horror ride, but it felt more like a missed call. The initial chaos was promising, but the story quickly devolved into a generic zombie flick with questionable CGI. Samuel L. Jackson’s presence provided some entertainment, but even he couldn’t save this one. The ending was confusing and unsatisfying, leaving me wondering what the point was. I wouldn’t recommend wasting your time on this one.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Stephen King adaptations”
  • “Viewers interested in post-apocalyptic thrillers”
  • “Those seeking a cautionary tale about technology”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense violence”
  • “Graphic gore”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Disturbing imagery”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite the presence of John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson, ‘Cell’ fails to generate scares or offer a fresh take on the zombie genre, resulting in a forgettable and derivative experience.
• IGN: “Cell wastes its potential with a muddled plot and uninspired execution. The film struggles to deliver on its initial promise, leaving viewers with a sense of disappointment.
• Variety: “A dull adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, ‘Cell’ lacks suspense and originality. The film’s reliance on tired tropes and weak special effects ultimately undermines its potential.

Audience Reactions

Samuel L. Jackson was awesome!: Most people seemed to find Samuel L. Jackson the highlight of this otherwise panned movie.

The premise of cell phones turning people into killers was interesting at first.: Some viewers appreciated the initial concept but felt the execution fell short.

Overall Consensus: Generally considered a poorly executed adaptation with weak effects and a confusing plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The screenplay was co-written by Stephen King, based on his own novel of the same name.”
• “Several changes were made from the book to the film, including the ending, which King stated was to address complaints about the book’s conclusion.”
• “Eli Roth was originally attached to direct the film but later left the project due to creative differences.”

🖥️ How to Watch Cell?

As of October 2024, ‘Cell’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming availability as services may vary by region. Unfortunately, at this time, ‘Cell’ is not available on any subscription based streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, or Max.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Cell, you might like these similar films:

• 28 Days Later (2002): Fast-moving infected hordes and a post-apocalyptic setting make this a similar, and arguably superior, experience.
• The Signal (2007): Explores the idea of an electronic signal causing madness and societal breakdown, with a focus on psychological horror.
• Pontypool (2008): Deals with a virus spreading through language and radio waves, creating a claustrophobic and thought-provoking horror experience.
• Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014): Shares the theme of a signal being used to control or influence people on a mass scale, albeit in a different genre.

🛒 Cell Related Products

• Cell [Blu-ray]: Experience the apocalyptic horror of ‘Cell’ in high definition. Watch John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson fight for survival as they battle against a world turned upside down by a deadly cell phone signal.
• Cell by Stephen King: Delve deeper into Stephen King’s chilling vision of a world consumed by technology. Explore the full narrative and character development that the movie adaptation couldn’t capture. A must-read for horror enthusiasts and King fans.
• Walking Dead Compendium: Walking Dead Compendium Volume One includes the first forty-eight issues of the fan-favorite, New York Times bestselling series, along with covers and other bonus material, that chronicles the beginning of Robert Kirkman’s epic story of the zombie apocalypse.
• Stephen King Short Movies Collection: A must own for the true King fan! A Collection of Short Movies From the Mind of Stephen King. Great for collectors and horror fans!

🎧 Soundtrack

Cell features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I am glad, I am very glad, because i’m finally returning back home” – performed by Eduard Khil

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Stephen King’s CELL (2016) Ending Explained

Confused by the ending of Cell? This video breaks it all down! Honestly, I was totally lost until I watched this, so it’s definitely worth checking out if you want to understand what happened.

Cell – Movie Review

Wondering if Cell is worth your time? This review dives into the good, the bad, and the ugly! I didn’t totally agree with everything they said, but it gave me a lot to think about. See if you agree with their take!

✨ Rate