10 Cloverfield Lane…there are monsters…

Here’s the skinny!

The new movie 10 Cloverfield Lane started out as spec script called The Cellar (or Valencia). Producer J.J. Abrams folded it into 10 Cloverfield Lane, and part of his Cloverfield universe. Make no mistake though the big monster in this film is John Goodman giving a beast of an acting performance that truly deserves an Oscar nod if there is any justice in this world.

No spoilers here that haven’t been shown in any trailers because 10 Cloverfield Lane’s surprises is the engine that drives this Hitchcock-esque film.

The first actor we see is Mary-Elizabeth Winstead’s Michelle. Michelle’s interaction with John Goodman’s Harold is a delight in tense seesaw dialogue exchange. Harold is a doomsday prepper who believes the end has come, and now Michelle is stuck with him, plus the understated performance of Mason Gallagher as Emmett. But something doesn’t quite ring 100% true with Harold so that’s where the drama and conflict comes in for the three characters.

10 Cloverfield Lane is shot with lots of closeups and with a steady cam as opposed to Cloverfield, which was a handheld shaky cam type of ride.

I can’t rave enough about John Goodman’s brilliantly pent-up odd teeter-totter performance. Imagine being confined to a small space with an unstable control freak. Harold seems like the type of guy that really exists and you might pass in a Home Depot with an odd cart of supplies on a Saturday afternoon.

Michelle is introduced as someone who always runs away from tough situations. That’s what makes her evolution to scrappy quick thinking fighter such a delight to watch on the big screen.

There are incredible Hitchcock like surprises in 10 Cloverfield Lane. Warning this is a not a movie for claustrophobic viewers. First time director Dan Trachtenberg’s tight, deliberately suffocating at times direction keeps you engaged and caring throughout the entire film.

While J.J. Abrams‘ Super 8 was a love letter to the 80’s Steven Spielberg films, 10 Cloverfield Lane is a loving Hitchcock tinged nod to the art of surprises and startling someone as opposed to the usual gore we receive at the cinema.

10 Cloverfield Lane is great step into establishing Cloverfield as an anthology series of films much like The Twilight Zone was to TV.

I think you’ll enjoy 10 Cloverfield Lane just as much if you think of it as a brand new thriller.

For the trailer, credits, tickets and more information check out the official 10 Cloverfield Lane website here.