Forget Atlas, Jennifer Lopez’s Sci-Fi From 2000 Is So Much Better

Aired on May 24, Atlas has become a prominent feature of Netflix ’s global top. Even though it’s not the top 1 movie anymore, J Lo-starring sci-fi is still gaining quite a strong viewership, in spite of its shameful critical score of 18% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Luckily, the actress is no stranger to science fiction flicks, as she already starred in a lesser-known movie of this genre that fell victim to critics’ severe judgment at the time. Nowadays it is massively revised and reassessed, so let’s take a closer look at it.

This flick centers on Dr. Catherine Deane (played by Lopez), a psychologist, whose experiments go far beyond what is possible. The point is she makes up a radical new therapy that allows to learn what is happening in another person's unconscious mind.

Therefore, Catherine embarks on a risky journey into the dark mind of a serial killer, who kidnaps his victims and relentlessly torments them to death. There is a hope that his last victim is still alive, and it is Catherine who can find the key to saving her.

Cinephiles can guess this synopsis is reminiscent of two classic movies that had an impact on Lopez’s film. Firstly, the leitmotif of exploration of a killer’s mind could be influenced by Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins’ The Silence of the Lambs (1991).

Besides, the 2000 sci-fi flick can be compared to our favorite genre’s gem made by Christopher Nolan, 2010’s Inception. They both speculate on the worlds that can be found inside one’s mind and what dangers and surprises can be waiting for you inside.

Titled The Cell, J Lo’s movie was in fact mixedly received. Its visuals, unique direction, high-class costumes and make-up received glowing praise, while its sophisticated narration was panned a lot. However, it was a huge box office success, as it grossed $104 million against a $33 million budget.

Nowadays, the film is considered to be ahead of its time and is claimed to deserve a rewatch.

“The Cell is such an underrated film - one that is genuinely disturbing and intense, which is exactly what the film is going for,” says Redditor @BobdH84.

You can check out whether The Cell is really an overlooked sci-fi gem and is better than Lopez’s Atlas, as it’s now available for streaming on Prime.