Clayton ‘Clay’ Riddell is a struggling artist from Maine who just landed the graphic novel deal of a lifetime. While at the airport he decides to call his alienated wife to share the awesome news as well as to Facetime with his son. However, right in the middle of the call, his cell dies. While he’s looking for his charger, everyone around him begins turning into raging zombie-like psychopaths. Clay witnesses everyone ripping each other apart. As the viewer, we quickly learn that someone appears to have positioned a deadly signal over the global cellphone network.
Cell isn’t an awful movie, due to the fact that the infected people, known as “phoners”, are actually creepy. I find them to be especially creepy when they swarm together, bopping their heads around. Unfortunately, it has plenty of flaws. Its two most noteworthy flaws are that the film seemed to be rushed and the ending sucked like no other. I have not read the novel, but perhaps Cell would have worked better as a mini-series like Stephen King’s The Stand, The Langoliers, Rose Red, 11.22.63 and others!
The most disappointing part about this film is the ending. I will do my best to explain why I disliked it without spoiling the film for others. The finale is super confusing and didn’t make any sense at all. It kind of made me regret watching the entire film. On the plus side, there is a good amount of blood and gore in on display.
Overall, Cell isn’t a horrible film, but it seemed rushed. I recommend it only if you’re curious. My advice before watching would be to go in with an open mind and perhaps lower your expectations.
WICKED RATING: [usr=3]
Title: Cell
Director: Tod Williams
Writer: Adam Alleca
Stars: John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Isabelle Fuhrman
Release: 2016
Studio/ Production Co: Genre Co.
Budget: Unknown
Language: English
Length: 98 Minutes
Sub-Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller