Jennifer Lopez’s Forgotten Sci-fi Thriller that Became a Blockbuster Hit Despite Poor Reviews is Her Most Underrated Gem
- 'The Cell' starring Jennifer Lopez is a unique sci-fi psychological thriller with a visually appealing direction.
- Despite early criticisms, 'The Cell' was a box office hit and has been reappraised by fans.
- The film is considered ahead of its time due to its concept, story telling, and practical effects that have added to its longevity.
Jennifer Lopez has been someone who has proven her position in the entertainment industry for decades now. Her work ranges from chart-topping music hits to action movies and romantic comedies. But sci-fi thrillers are something that doesn’t often come to mind when someone thinks of her most popular movies.
Early 2000s was a time when Hollywood was experimenting and pushing boundaries to create something unique. During this time, Lopez starred in a movie that is still considered one of the most underrated sci-fi thrillers of her and in general as well.
Underrated Status of The Cell
The Cell mixed psychological horror with sci-fi elements and created something that was both beautiful and disturbing. The movie got mixed reviews from critics, with a 45% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes as of now. But it seems like audiences are finally discovering this underrated film, giving it the recognition it deserves.
The Cell was released in 2000 and was directed by Tarsem Singh. Jennifer Lopez plays the character of Catherine Deane, who is a child psychologist and uses cutting-edge technology to enter the minds of her patients. Along with her, Vince Vaughn plays the role of an FBI agent, and they together try to find the victim of a serial killer.
The serial killer, played by Vincent D’Onofrio, falls into a coma, and Catherine enters his twisted mind to save his final victim. According to Box Office Mojo, The Cell was made within a budget of $33 million and grossed over $104 million worldwide. However, some critics still called its story vague and inconsistent.
But with time and changes in audience perspective, it seems like the movie again got a following, as many consider it one of the most unique sci-fi psychological thrillers. Fans online have been commenting on its trailer on Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers YouTube saying,
“An underrated gem. The costumes are sets in and of themselves.”
“22 years later and I still haven’t seen something close to this.”
“Honestly, I don’t understand how people were confused by this movie. It’s iconic. I wish Jlo would’ve gone down the sci-fi path a little more. I’ve always wanted to see her in movies other than rom-coms.”
“Underrated movie. Visually stunning. Tarsem also directed The Fall which was really enjoyable.”
“One of the best and most original films ever made.”
The Cell was particularly unique as compared to others because it was a mix of genres. It was partly psychological thriller, partly sci-fi adventure, and it was also a horror movie to some extent. The concept was also unique, and the way Lopez’s character entered the killer’s brain and discovered his past traumas and tortured psyche was disturbingly interesting.
How The Cell Was Ahead Of Its Time
The Cell received mixed reviews from critics after its release. Some felt that its content was all about style over substance due to its unique set designs and visuals. But on the other side, it can also be said that their criticism overlooked the ambitious theme and storytelling technique of the film.
Renowned film critic Roger Ebert was one of the few who praised the movie, particularly Singh’s direction, calling him a “visual virtuoso who juggles his storylines effortlessly.” Ebert gave 4 stars to The Cell and ranked it 6th among his top 10 films of the year.
Other than the genre mixing, what made The Cell stand out, especially when viewed today, was its use of practical effects. During that time, CGI was gaining popularity, but the movie went with costumes and set pieces. This gives a sense of realism about the atmosphere and technology that many films still lack.
The film’s way of exploring trauma, redemption, and the gray nature of evil was something that was not being done much at the time. Moreover, it didn’t spoon-feed information to the audience. Rather, it encouraged viewers to analyze the narrative. This approach might not have been successful at the time, but it is what makes The Cell a worthy rewatch today.
The Cell is available to stream on Prime Video.
