A branch off of J.J. Abrams Cloverfield in 2008, 10 Cloverfield Lane is neither a sequel nor a prequel but rather a different story taking place at a different location in the same time period. After enduring a dramatic car crash that left her unconscious, Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) wakes up in a cell bunker with a doomsday prepper by the name of Howard (John Goodman) and survivor Emmett (John Gallagher Jr.), who constantly insist that Howard saved her life right before an alien invasion above ground. Unsure of what to believe of what has happened in the outside world, Michelle stops at nothing to find a way out and to find answers.
At the Edge of Your Seat Suspense
Whoever was head over the marketing of this film, I give my props and applause to them of keeping the suspense in the trailers without giving any additional information away. Most trailers that are this suspenseful and that are sequels or branch offs of former films tend to market months in advance of the premier showing. The trailer for 10 Cloverfield Lane not only came out just over a month ago, but was also released online without warning or without any word or confirmation from producer J.J. Abrams. The first original trailer caught everyone off guard and caught everyone's attention to see what this movie was all about.
The suspense of the trailer was just the introduction what was revealed and executed in the film itself. Throughout the entire film, audiences are kept on the edge of their seats as they wonder what is to come next and to become of Michelle and Emmett. The soundtrack of the film greatly adds on to the suspense as it causes you to cringe and hold tightly to your popcorn bucket as you lean into the screen, waiting for something to happen or jump out. What adds on more to the suspense are the characters themselves, and by characters, I mean all three.
When it comes to a film with such a small cast let alone a confined location, the film can either be a hit or miss. Audiences may hate a specific character or all the characters will be uninteresting. This however, is not the case. Each cast member contributes greatly in the execution of this film, thereby really drawing in the audience to engage and question what was to come next. While each cast member certainly stood out in their own way of what they brought to the table, John Goodman stole the show with his menacing, strict controlling, unpredictable personality. He is a very cautious man that refuses to take any risks of reaching the outside world and if things do not go his way, that is when his unpredictability begins. Because of his rage, you really begin to feel an attachment to Michelle and Emmett as they try to survive and adapt with Howard. You soon begin to imagine what you would have done in their situation, being in a bunker with a man as difficult and abusive, yet who is also the same man who saved your life.
Losing Sight of the Cloverfield Events
While the film was suspenseful and engaging, if there is any difficulty adjusting to, it was what the film circled around in the first place. Because you get really caught up in the characters and the bunker, you eventually forget the overall events taking place above ground and what the whole point of Cloverfield was all about. Again, this is not a major difficulty of the film however when the it eventually brings you back to meaning behind the bunker, you have to redirect your mindset past everything that took place beforehand.
Final Film Thoughts
10 Cloverfield Lane was a film that was completely under the radar during the production period and greatly paid off among audiences and critics alike. While this is more of a suspense drama and not horror based, it gives off a suspense/horror vibe as you notice certain scenes and sequences that feel horror-ish. It certainly keeps you engaged as you constantly question what is to come next while you are cringing in your seat to the suspenseful building soundtrack. While this film is in the same timeline as Cloverfield itself, 10 Cloverfield Lane has what Cloverfield lacked--interesting characters and a compelling story throughout. If you honestly enjoyed the first installment, do not expect anything similar of this one. I strongly suggest walking into 10 Cloverfield Lane with a fresh perspective and an open mind. If you do, you surely will not be disappointed.
Final Film Review: 4 out of 5
