CT - Recommended: 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

Directed by Dan Trachtenberg

Starring: John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and John Gallagher Jr.

The story follows a woman who awakes in an underground bunker with two men after a car crash. These two men insist that an event has devastated the Earth.

Interesting fact, this film was originally called “The Cellar”, but once under production by Bad Robot, it would turn into the spiritual successor to the 2008 horror found footage film Cloverfield. However, unlike its predecessor, it was presented as a third-person narrative and not as found footage.

When I saw the movie for the first time, I watched it with my cousin and a friend. My cousin usually despises horror movies, so when I saw him practically begging me to watch it with him, I could not refuse.

This movie was incredible. The tension, and fear was displayed on the screen by the actors. Winstead did really well, playing her character who woke up in a bunker after her car crash. She showcased her emotions and her fear of the unknown, not knowing whether she was kidnapped, she was drugged, etc.

The theme of the movie was clearly about the unknown. Michelle who was played by Winstead, is curious to know what has happened to the Earth after her car crash, and is eager to find out if what those two men in the bunker are saying are true. The director’s decision to barely show us the outside, is a great one, putting us in her place, as we too, are eager to see and find out what has happened, and what is left of this Earth.

The movie’s suspenseful and tense atmosphere is remarkable. The movie reminded me a lot of Nicole Kidman’s “The Others”, with most of the scenes shot indoors, questioning the status of the world outside and what remains of society.

The cast was really good, John Goodman especially who plays Howard, the bunker’s owner. He’s intensity and fiery dialogue delivery was superb, and he was quite the frightening and menacing sight, and frankly deserved an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, in my opinion.

The cinematography done by Jeff Cutter, was done really well, displaying the darkness and showcasing the claustrophobia of staying in such a tight space inside the bunker.

A very good sequel that is really worth watching. It’s intense and frightening scenes will grip you, and will leave you hanging on the edge of your seat.

My rating: 9/10

#CTRecommended #2018