It’s been almost a year since J.J. Abrams secretly released a surprise teaser for his unexpected blood-related sequel to the found footage classic Cloverfield, entitled 10 Cloverfield Lane. What made this announcement even more exciting was that we’d only have to wait another two months until this film graced the screen. As someone who was a huge fan of Cloverfield when it first came out, this was exciting news. On top of that, the trailer looked incredible, ditching the found footage styling of its previous film for more streamlined, conventional camerawork, and keeping all its secrets close to its chest. Plus, John Goodman and Mary Elizabeth Winstead? Insane! A year later and I’ve watched my Blu-Ray copy at least a couple of times. 10 Cloverfield Lane is such an incredible film, making it into my top 10 (for now at least) and really surpassing the original in every way.
Taking place in the same universe, but with no connections to the original Cloverfield, 10 Cloverfield Lane starts with a woman named Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) escaping her current life, driving all day and all night to avoid her problems at hand. While driving down a dark country road, she experiences a terrible crash, and is knocked out as a result. Not knowing how much time has passed, Michelle wakes up in a prison-like room, greeted by Howard (John Goodman), who explains to her that she is stuck in a bunker and that the world outside has ended. From here, 10 Cloverfield Lane moves at lightning speed, with enough non-stop tension and terror to really put most thrillers to shame.
Directed by newcomer Dan Trachtenberg, 10 Cloverfield Lane borrows a lot thematically from its predecessor. The constant mystery, characters not knowing the current situation, and a love and respect for the films to which 10 Cloverfield Lane pays homage throughout its running time. What differs is how the film is played out. Instead of a big CGI monster that wreaks havoc in a city, you have the constantly watching, stalking and controlling Howard, played by the incredible John Goodman. I talked about him already in the Film Flam Roundtable on best performances this year, but John Goodman really makes this film. Giving one of my favorite performances of his career and the year in general, Goodman is legitimately frightening. Constantly a threat to our lead Michelle and the other prisoner Emmett (John Gallagher Jr.), Howard uses every method he has to keep his prisoners in line, while giving signs of humanity which give the audience and our lead characters second thoughts. Goodman’s performance is really the highlight of the film, and the main reason I revisit it. Trachtenberg has crafted such a great and effective thriller that more than exceeds the original. If you love thrillers in general, how could you miss 10 Cloverfield Lane? Here’s hoping that the next installments in this Twilight Zone-like series are just as good!
10 Cloverfield Lane
2016
dir. Dan Trachtenberg
104 min
Screens Friday, 1/13, 7:30 PM
Double Feature With Green Room (5:30; 9:45)
Part of Ongoing Series: (Some Of) The Best Of 2016
