<P> The Cell is a 2000 American science fiction horror film directed by Tarsem Singh in his directorial debut, and starring Jennifer Lopez, Vince Vaughn, and Vincent D'Onofrio . It received mixed reviews upon its release, with critics praising its visuals, direction, make - up, costumes and D'Onofrio's performance, while criticizing its Silence of the Lambs - inspired plot, an emphasis on style rather than substance, and masochistic imagery . </P> <P> Child psychologist Catherine Deane (Jennifer Lopez) is hired to conduct an experimental virtual reality treatment for coma patients: a "Neurological Cartography and Synaptic Transfer System" device managed by doctors Henry West and Miriam Kent that allows her to enter a comatose mind and attempt to coax them into consciousness . The technology is funded by the parents of her patient, Edward Baines (Colton James), a young boy left comatose by a latent viral infection that causes an unusual form of schizophrenia . Despite Deane's lack of progress, West and Kent reject Deane's suggestion to reverse the feed to bring Baines into her mind, fearing the unknown consequences of him experiencing an unfamiliar world . </P> <P> Serial killer Carl Rudolph Stargher (Vincent D'Onofrio) traps his victims in a cell in the form of a glass enclosure that slowly fills with water by means of an automatic timer, then uses a hoist in his basement to suspend himself above their bodies while watching the recorded video of their deaths . He succumbs to the same schizophrenic illness and falls into a coma just as the FBI identifies him, leaving them without any leads as to the location of his latest victim, Julia Hickson (Tara Subkoff). After learning of this experimental technology, Agent Peter Novak (Vince Vaughn) persuades Deane to enter Stargher's mind and discover Hickson's location . </P> <P> Deane enters the dark dreamscape of Stargher's twisted psyche, filled with doll - like replicas of his victims . Stargher's innocent side manifests as Young Stargher (Jake Thomas) and leads Deane through his memories of abuse he suffered at the hands of his sadistic father . Deane nurtures Young Stargher in hopes of getting Hickson's location but she is thwarted by another manifestation: King Stargher, a demonic idealization of his murderous side that dominates the dreamscape . King Stargher torments Deane until she is mentally at his mercy, making her forget the world is not real . Dr. West discovers this while monitoring Deane's vitals . He warns that what happens to Deane while she is integrated into Stargher's mindscape will inflict neurological damage on her real body . Novak volunteers to enter Stargher's mind to make Deane remember herself . </P>

Who plays the bad guy in the cell