The Cell (2000)

Plot of The Cell: The cell, of the title is a glass walled enclosure within which a serial killer, Carl Stargher, drowns his female victims while filming their distress. The FBI find the body of one victim, and then the disappearance of another young woman is reported, and it is evident that Stargher has captured her. The agents find videos of his previous victim dying, but when they get to Stargher he is in a coma due to a brain problem. Agent Peter Novak gets the help of Dr Catherine Deane, who is a psychologist who engages in a technique of entering the minds of comatose people to encourage them back to wakefulness, using an experimental process. He suggests that if she enters Stargher’s mind she may be able to find out where his current victim is. Catherine is willing to help, but once she in in Stargher’s internal universe will she remain in control?

Content of The Cell: We see Stargher going through the process of drowning his victim, submerging her in bleach and then suspending himself with chains  above her naked body and masturbating over her. He captures a second young woman and initiates the process in the cell. Meanwhile we see Catherine entering the mind of a boy who is comatose. It is a strange world. Once she is in Stargher’s mind there are many surreal scenes, said to be similar to known art works. While they might not satisfy people who have an interest in that sort of thing, they are unpleasant and often difficult to watch. We see the FBI getting closer as the cell begins to fill up with water. I don’t often say this, but this really is an 18. Unsuitable to be watched by preteens.

A View: This film made money even though it was variously reviewed by the critics. Roger Ebert gave it four stars out of four. Apart from the necessity for us to suspend our disbelief, in order for the mind stuff to be possible, it rolls along. There is the tension created as the FBI go on the trail to find the latest victim, as well as the genuinely surreal presentations of the dreamscapes. So pretty riveting despite the fact that it is sometimes extremely unpleasant.

Fun Fact: Mark Protosevich has disowned the film, claiming it has been rewritten out of all recognition by uncredited screenwriters.