Producers: Paramount Pictures, Bad Robot
Writers: Josh Campbell, Matthew Stuecken, Damien Chazelle
Director: Matt Reeves
Featuring: John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Gallagher Jr.
ReleaseDate: OUT NOW!

Making a locked room drama is a risky cinematic business. Where a film should move locations, change the scenery, move its characters from A to B and back again, 10 Cloverfield Lane dispenses with all that traditional movie going frippery and dares the audience to either hate it or like it.

10 Cloverfield Lane never falls into the obvious traps of boredom and character sterility. Instead, the suspense and mystery are palpable and the movie works as a serious psychological study. And if you’re wondering, no, it’s not a sequel to Bad Robot’s monster movie Cloverfield.

After a car accident Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) wakes up in a locked doomsday bunker built by creepy survivalist Howard (John Goodman). The other inmate is meek contractor Emmett (John Gallagher Jr.), whom Howard shamelessly bullies. Howard assures Michelle the air outside is poisoned and he expects gratitude for saving her life. She’s naturally frightened and distrustful of the situation, and indeed, all is not as Howard pretends.

In 10 Cloverfield Lane, Goodman’s performance is one of simmering rage, like he’s reprising his role as Walter from The Big Labowski but without any emotional grounding. His character is a case study of a classic abuser; at one point he begins manipulating Michelle’s feelings, telling her that she’s going to love cooking. Michelle, for her part, never completely buys into Emmett’s assurances, and in doing so sets up a psychological battle of wits between the two.

My only real complaint in 10 Cloverfield Lane is, in the end, the movie loses its Stephen King vibe and the M. Night Shyamalan-like finale feels like it was tacked on later, as a semi afterthought. Whilst the conclusion to 10 Cloverfield Lane might fit the premise, the denouement comes out of nowhere and leaves you scratching your head.

However, this aside, 10 Cloverfield Lane is well written, expertly directed and well-acted piece of cinema. The tension in 10 Cloverfield Lane ramps up until the actual tensions detonate. If you’re looking for an entertaining, tense psychological drama look no further, you won’t be disappointed. Just ever so slightly paranoid.

 

Reviewer: Joe Lovece
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker