Sublime, grotesque and visually ravishing, Tarsem Singh’s debut feature delivers on the extraordinary artistry of his work in music video and commercials as it takes the audience on a journey through the bizarre worlds inside the mind of a killer.

When serial murderer Carl Stargher (Vincent D’Onofrio) falls into a coma with his latest victim still trapped in an unknown location and waiting to die, the FBI turn to psychologist Catherine Deane (Jennifer Lopez) for help. Using an experimental technology she enters the dark dreamscape of Stargher’s mind, attempting to learn his secrets before it’s too late. But his unconscious is a twisted nightmare, a labyrinth that threatens to trap her inside his terrifying world forever. To save a life, she’ll have to risk her own.

With a script by Mark Protosevich (I Am Legend), and a supporting cast that includes Vince Vaughn (Brawl in Cell Block 99) and Marianne Jean-Baptiste (In Fabric), The Cell is a gripping, edge-of-the-seat thriller, filled with jaw-dropping imagery that will entrance and unsettle in equal measure.

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Video Quality

Arrow Films presents The Cell with a knockout 2160p transfer in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio for both the Theatrical Cut and the Director’s Cut sourced from a 16-bit 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative in 4K HDR/Dolby Vision approved by director Tarsem Singh and Director of Photography Paul Laufer. Additional film elements were sourced for the sections unique to the Director’s Cut. There is also a version of the theatrical cut available in an alternate aspect ratio of 1.78:1 with alternate grading that is provided on Blu-Ray from a 2K master created by Paul Laufer. Arrow is one of the leading labels delivering can’t-miss 4K UHD presentations, and this release is another example of their peerless work. Fans who have been waiting for this to be upgraded are blessed with a splendid presentation.

The presentation retains a favorable amount of natural film grain that helps bring out the otherworldly textural details of the various settings. The grain is consistent without ever swarming or becoming splotchy. The textures on display in the sumptuous outfits and within the environments are showstopping. This disc handles every conjured landscape with the same level of care. The black levels are deep with nothing in the way of crush present, and highlights show no signs of blooming even when they are pushed to the limits. The enhanced detail and clarity will allow you to pick up elements of the production design you may not have noticed before.

One of the most welcome upgrades for this film is the implementation of Dolby Vision for enhanced color output that takes this visually audacious spectacle and allows it to reach its full potential. The new restoration harnesses the bold colors that are presented with the proper nuance and complexity. Costumes and set decor saturate the screen along with lighting choices with a favorable depth. This new transfer features nothing in the way of print damage. This A+ presentation always appears natural with the added resolution bringing out more life within the environment. No digital anomalies such as compression artifacts, banding, or other such nuisances make an appearance. The unique footage in the Director’s Cut is just as consistent as the rest of the footage. Arrow Video has taken great care with one of the most visually impressive films around.

Audio Quality

This 4K UHD Blu-Ray comes with the original DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio surround sound track for both cuts which captures this film perfectly. Dialogue comes through clearly in the front channel without being drowned out by any sound effects or music. The score from Howard Shore captures the distinct scope of the narrative which fills the speakers well. The music adds an exceptional presence that makes the movie come alive. The film has some thrilling sequences that kick the low end into gear. There is a great sense of directionality deploying sounds from the appropriate channels. There are no issues with fidelity or damage to the tracks. This audio presentation delivers on all fronts. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided.

Special Features

The first pressing of the Arrow Video 4K UHD Blu-Ray of The Cell includes a 44-page booklet featuring new writing on the film by critics Heather Drain, Marc Edward Heuck, Josh Hurtado, and Virat Nehru. There is also a September 2000 article from American Cinematographer by Jean Oppenheimer. These works provide a great analysis of the film and the talent at large in a thoughtfully written style. This package also includes a double-sided poster. The on-disc special features are as follows:

Disc One – Theatrical Version & Director’s Cut (4K UHD)

Theatrical Version (1:47:19) and Director’s Cut (1:49:18)

Commentaries: Four commentary tracks are provided.

- Audio Commentary #1 (Critic): Film scholars Josh Nelson & Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

- Audio Commentary #2 (Screenwriter): Screenwriter Mark Protosevich & film critic Kay Lynch
- Audio Commentary #3 (Director): Director Tarsem Singh
- Audio Commentary #2 (Production Team): Director of photography Paul Laufer, production designer Tom Foden, makeup supervisor Michèle Burke, costume designer April Napier, visual effects supervisor Kevin Tod Haug, and composer Howard Shore

Projection Of The Mind’s Eye: An epic new 90-minute interview with director Tarsem Singh in which he discusses his background, how his upbringing led him to be a more visually minded filmmaker, how he collaborated with screenwriter Mark Protosevich, his motivation behind certain visual and narrative decisions, his push and pull with the studio, working with the performer, and more.

Between Two Worlds: A new 43-minute interview with director of photography Paul Laufer in which he discusses his background, his initial collaborations with Tarsem Singh, his concern with working in this genre, creating the look of the film, and more.

Disc Two – Theatrical Cut Alternate 1.78:1 Open Matte Aspect Ratio (Blu-Ray)

Paul Laufer Illuminates: An 11-minute introduction in which director of photography Paul Laufer discusses how this alternate version was created.

Art Is Where You Find It: A new nearly 13-minute visual essay in which film scholar Alexandra Heller-Nicholas explores how Tarsem Singh injects art history into his filmmaking.

The Costuming Auteur: A new nearly 11-minute visual essay by film critic Abby Bender that delves into the costume designs of Eiko Eshoka.

Style As Substance – Reflections On Tarsem: A 12-minute archival piece in which the cast and creative team discuss the distinct visual style of Tarsem.

Deleted Scenes: There are eight unused scenes totaling around 30 minutes provided with optional audio commentary from Tarsem Singh. Some of these moments are included in the Director’s Cut.

Special Effects – Six Multi-Angle Vignettes: There are six scenes analyzed totaling around 70 minutes that explore the visual effects on screen.

Trailer Gallery: This disc provides the U.S. Trailer (2:25) and the International Trailer (1:24).

Image Gallery: A collection of stills from the movie and production is included.

Final Thoughts

The Cell is one of the more engaging examples of “mainstream” entertainment taking advantage of film as a visual medium. You can always count on Tarsem Singh to produce some images that will be burned into your mind, and this feature debut is a prime example of his sensibilities. Style takes a bit of precedence over substance, but it is far from hollow with the added bonus of Vincent D’Onofrio fully committing to being a little freak. Arrow Video has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring an awe-inspiring A/V presentation and an abundance of special features. If you are a fan of the film, this is the type of release you have been dreaming about for years. Highly Recommended

The Cell will be available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray and Blu-Ray on January 21, 2025.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Arrow Video has supplied a copy of this set free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.