Cell (2016)

When a mysterious cell phone signal causes apocalyptic chaos, an artist is determined to reunite with his young son in New England.

Director:

Tod Williams

Writers:

Stephen King (based on the novel by), Stephen King (screenplay by)

Stars:

John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Isabelle Fuhrman

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Cusack	...	Clay Riddell
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Tom McCourt
Isabelle Fuhrman	...	Alice Waxman
Clark Sarullo	...	Sharon Riddell
Ethan Andrew Casto	...	Johnny Riddell
Owen Teague	...	Jordan
Stacy Keach	...	Charles Ardai
Joshua Mikel	...	Raggedy
Anthony Reynolds	...	Ray Huizenga
Erin Elizabeth Burns	...	Denise Link
Jeff Hallman	...	Hog-Tied Man (as Jeffrey Hallman)
Mark Ashworth	...	Bartender
Wilbur Fitzgerald	...	Geoff
Catherine Dyer	...	Sally
E. Roger Mitchell	...	Roscoe

Storyline

When a strange signal pulsates through all cell phone networks worldwide, it starts a murderous epidemic of epic proportions when users become bloodthirsty creatures, and a group of people in New England are among the survivors to deal with the ensuing chaos after.

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Plot Keywords:

cell phone | signal | zombie apocalypse | survivor | artist | 

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Taglines:

When everyone is connected no one is safe

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for disturbing violent content, terror, brief sexuality and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Among many differences from the source material, in the book, the zombie-like infected continue to have their brains re-written every night and evolve further psychic abilities, including telekinesis, which allows them to fly. This is explained as the infection having unlocked the human brain's latent supernatural potential. This idea is only vaguely alluded to in the film when the survivors of the boys school explain that the human brain is like a computer and that this could be the next stage in human evolution.

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Goofs

Ardai was impaled by the truck's shaft. However, the chassis was not destroyed in the explosion, as can be seen in the background.

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Quotes

Tom McCourt: Clay, I'm really sorry about your family.
Clay Riddell: Don't be sorry because there is nothing to be sorry about yet.

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Crazy Credits

After the closing credits have finished, the catalyst signal from the movie plays for approximately 5-10 seconds, with no image, as if attempting to convert the audience.

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Connections

Featured in FoundFlix: Stephen King's CELL (2016) Ending Explained (2016)

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Soundtracks

You'll Never Walk Alone
Performed by Frank Simes
Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

User Reviews

Intense start but lazy end

This variation of the zombie apocalypse borrows from films like 28 Weeks Later or Kaufman's Invasion of the Body Snatchers. That is to say, it relies more on psychological tension than on graphic violence (but still contains some graphic violence.) The first act is pretty good, intense, sharp, adopting a fast pace that dispenses us of the genre's clichés. That won't last as it will turn into standard fare. Finally, in the 3rd act, the writer completely drops the ball and doesn't even bother ending his story properly. He just takes the easiest way out and deserves some boos for it.

Bad storytelling is enough to make a movie bad and a rating low. Here however, I balance it with the impressive beginning and the excellent visuals. Also worth mentioning is Samuel L. Jackson who, for the first time in 20 years, portrays a human being instead of his perpetual annoying caricature.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 June 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cell

Filming Locations:

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,323,012

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Genre Co., Benaroya Pictures, 120dB Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color