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
Erin Elizabeth Burns	...	Denise
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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

When everyone is connected no one is safe

---

Genres:

Action | Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 June 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Signal

Filming Locations:

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Genre Co.,Benaroya Pictures,120dB Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the opening airport scene, the flight to Manchester, New Hampshire is changed to gate A6. A6 is the lethal virus strain from the Stephen King novel The Stand.

---

Goofs

The main characters run into a kid sitting on a swing petting a dog. They finally get his attention, and it turns out he's infected and he starts running towards them. They shoot him. They then see dozens of other infected people behind trees and starting to chase them. They run and hide under a boat until the infected go away. The problem is there's no way they would have time to hide under the boat with the infected not seeing them. The infected people chasing them were a mere 20-30 feet away.

---

Quotes

Johnny Riddell: What's the name of the place we're going?
Clay Riddell: Canada.

---

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.

---

Connections

Referenced in Sean Bradley Reviews: The Dark Tower (2017)

---

Soundtracks

To Be Loved (Forever)
Performed by The Pentagons
Written by Kenneth D. Goodloe, Ted Goodloe, Joe C. Jones, Carl Rudolph McGinnis, Willie Otis Munson

User Reviews

Disappointed Book Reader

When I first read Cell many years ago, I instantly thought it could be transferred to an amazing movie. (And funnily enough, even cast the same actors in my eyes for both Clay and Tom.)

However, the final product for the big screen was such a let down.. Though the scenes they took from the book were fairly accurate, they cut out at least 40% of the content. (Most of which is integral to the story telling and explaining what has actually happened.. The Raggedy Man / Red Hoodie Guy being one major oversight.)

I feel like if you hadn't read the book to begin with, you'll probably find yourself getting lost too easily.. There was a severe lack of pacing simply jumping from scene to scene and some changes which in my opinion were for the worst.

Overall I did still enjoy the movie, has a fairly unique concept and some very disturbing imagery, but had I have not read the book prior I don't think it'd be getting anywhere near 6/10 from me.

SUMMARY: GO READ THE BOOK INSTEAD, AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING READ.