20 Most Underrated Horror Movies EVER

14. The Cell

The Cell
New Line Cinema

Back at the time of its release in 2000, The Cell was widely criticised for being a style-over-substance affair, that Tarsem Singh's eye for jaw-dropping visuals was wholly undermined by a confusing, sub-Matrix screenplay.

But what if - and here's a novel idea - style is substance?

This deliciously cerebral sci-fi horror film about a social worker (Jennifer Lopez) delving into the mind of a serial killer (Vincent D'Onofrio) in order to deduce the location of his latest victim may be uneven, but it's messily ambitious in more good ways than bad, elevated at all times by its eye-wateringly beautiful visuals.

Tarsem's entire body of work has demonstrated a greater interest in hypnotic sights over narrative particulars, but The Cell also provides perfect proof of how diverting imagery can be storytelling in its own right.

It doesn't hurt that Lopez and D'Onofrio also give splendid performances, and overall it feels like a film desperately waiting to be discovered by a new generation.

 
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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.