Here’s Something Scarier Than Finals: 10 Cloverfield Lane
Imagine waking up in a locked room with a broken leg chained to the wall and facing the unnerving presence of big bearded stranger who claims he saved your life. Michelle’s (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) entire world is turned upside down when she finds herself in an underground bunker after having survived a chemical apocalypse that extinguished everyone, and everything, she knew.
The stranger, Howard (John Goodman), is your classic doomsday prepper, a role often mocked for being extremely paranoid with safety measures. But hey, this time, he may just be right. Michelle, the shaken but feisty protagonist, and Emmett (John Gallagher Jr.), Howard’s kind-hearted and goofy handyman, are told that if they sit tight follow the rules, everything will be fine. That’s when the fun begins.
(Image credits: 10 Cloverfield Lane)
10 Cloverfield Lane is a brilliant psychological thriller that brings the audience on a rollercoaster ride of fear and paranoia with its characters. While presented as a sequel to the blockbuster hit Cloverfield (2008), this film’s plot is of its own so don’t worry if you haven’t caught the first one.
From start to end, the film puts you on the edge of your seat, veering away from cliché plotlines so that it’s almost impossible to guess what happens next. Like an episode of the Twilight Zone, debuting director Trachtenberg uses shots of a too-cosy-for-comfort underground bunker, cramped air vents, and glimpses of dangers both outside and within to inspire your next nightmare.
Tension is expertly built throughout, and the dialogue tightly reveals snippets of information that help to solve a mind-boggling puzzle. You’ll find your emotions see-sawing with each new revelation. Has there really been an attack above? Is Howard a saviour or psychopath? Are they protected or imprisoned? Here’s a movie that creates an unsettling sense of unease without relying on constant darkness and jump scares; it’s truly refreshing as a thriller.
(Image credits: Empire Online)
If you’re someone who appreciates an adrenaline-pumping, mind-blowing thriller, be sure to catch 10 Cloverfield Lane as a post-finals treat. With an excellent cast, sharp dialogue, and characters you can actually root for, this is #nightmarefuel done right.
Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman, John Gallagher Jr., Bradley Cooper
Directed by: Dan Trachtenberg
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saHzng8fxLs