<![CDATA[Students' difficulties in understanding the abstract concept of cells, along with low learning motivation and critical thinking skills, prompted this study. The aim was to examine the implementation of metaphor-based visual learning media on cell material and its effects on the critical thinking skills and learning motivation of 8th-grade students at SMP Negeri 6 Majalengka. The study was conducted from February to April 2025 using a Research and Development (R&D) method with the ADDIE model. A sample of 52 eighthgrade students was selected through proportional random sampling. The media was developed in the form of a video titled "The Cell as a Unique School of Life", integrating everyday life analogies through visual metaphors. Data were collected through expert validation, student and teacher questionnaires, pre- and post-tests on critical thinking skills, and learning motivation questionnaires. Results showed that the media was highly valid (average score of 90.75%), practical to use (teacher response: 93.77%, student response: 87.54%), and significantly improved students’ critical thinking skills (mean rank of experimental group: 33.72; control group: 19.27). Learning motivation also increased, with extrinsic motivation at 92.30% and intrinsic motivation at 90.29%. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that the media had a stronger influence on learning motivation (r = 0.744) than on critical thinking skills (r = 0.609). Metaphor-based visual media effectively helps students understand abstract cell concepts, enhances critical thinking skills, and boosts learning motivation. This approach is recommended for science teachers as a meaningful, contextual learning strategy aligned with the Merdeka Curriculum. ]]>
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