Director: Dan Trachtenberg
By Alex Watson
Many had no idea that 10 Cloverfield Lane was even coming until a surprise trailer was revealed early in 2016. Many previously had expected another found footage picture with more people running from the monster. Well, this picture may have been a shock but doing it as a straight story bring us one of the tensest movies of the year. Refusing to just provide outright scares, debut director Dan Trachtenberg, and producer JJ Abrams make the unknown a far more frightening concept.
Fleeing from a relationship in New Orleans, Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is involved in a horrific car accident. When she awakens she finds herself in a fallout bunker owned by Howard (John Goodman) who tells her that the world is under attack. Recuperating and also fearing for her life, Michelle becomes acquainted with the other male taking residence Emmett (John Gallagher Jr). Has the world gone to hell? Or is something far more sinister involved?
In spirit 10 Cloverfield Lane is a successor to its predecessor but it also succeeds by itself as a genuinely unnerving and smart thriller. A more up close and smaller effort than Cloverfield, the use of limited special effects is a wise one as they allow the story to be the selling point. Trachtenberg makes good use of silence as Michelle wordlessly leaves her relationship with her ex (voiced by a famous A-lister). Driving into the dark night, the moment her car crash occurs it has a big jump factor. Waking up in an empty room hooked up to a drip, Howard's introduction is a booming and ambiguous one as he bluntly informs her "No one out there is looking for you!" The opening act is all about Howard being elusive with information and it only when Michelle attempts an ill-advised escape it becomes apparent not all is right.
The ambiguity is that drives this picture, is Howard really telling the truth? Or is he just some conspiracy nut who has driven over the edge? At first, we assume that there is no physical danger and generally this guy wants to protect them. However, when certain red herring rear their head Trachtenberg fills the air with a wonderful unease. Seeing Michelle crawl through vents is surprisingly claustrophobic, particularly as it leads to revealing something that suggests she might not have been the first woman to share this bunker. Emmett is a reluctant participant in all this who goes from being thankful for shelter to finally agreeing there is something shady about Howard's past.
A third act hiccup is a forgivable mistake because it does lead to shocking yet expected outcome. This post is a spoiler free land so my advice is to learn as a little as possible and to make up your own mind. In the bunker things reach boiling point in a magnificent way as all suspicions and frustrations come to a head. Howard throughout has been a hulking and ticking time bomb and when he explodes it is quietly terrifying. Michelle is a well-written heroine and watching her use her brain in the third act gives her a strength we didn't think possible. There is no monster destroying towns in its wake and no Statue of Liberty head flying into sight. Keeping things low key gives Trachtenberg's picture a more cold and biting feel.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead gives a fine performance which the film builds itself around. Going through every emotion in the spectrum, Winstead is both mesmerizing at her most frightened and gutsy when called upon. Michelle is an example how female characters are beginning to anchor these types of films and we hope to see her back. John Goodman gives one of his most showy and cold-blooded turns as Howard. Those who are used to him in his cuddly family roles such as The Flintstones might be in for a shock. Fans of Barton Fink will know precisely how much can turn up the creepy factor on command!
10 Cloverfield Lane is a great surprise and firmly pushes most Trachtenberg and Winstead into the light. Sequels are already being discussed, for once I hope these two come back for seconds.
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