It is rare in today’s cinematic landscape that a film can sneak up on you. To go from “just heard of this” to being able to see the film in question usually can be a 12 month to two years or more wait. Imagine how refreshing it was to first hear of J.J. Abrams’ follow-up to Cloverfield merely months ago. Now, we are hours away from the release of 10 Cloverfield Lane. The marketing is not the only refreshing element of the film.
It’s a commanding directorial debut by Dan Trachtenberg. First and foremost, the helmer has a keen understanding of the nuances of working with actors, specifically John Goodman and Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who turn in the best performances of their career. 10 Cloverfield Lane is also a film that is not necessarily a slow boil, in that there are explosive moments throughout, but it is in the sense that the reveal is almost 90 minutes in the making. And when it finally arrives — prepare to have your jaw dropped and for your movie-long gasping to continue.
Spearheading a film that has been shrouded in secrecy is nothing new for Abrams. But what is so astounding about his latest production is that there is so much to the plot that we want to tell you as part of this review, but for fear of utterly ruining the explosive experience that is witnessing 10 Cloverfield Lane on the big screen, there is sadly nothing we want to say about the film other than what was revealed in a 30-second trailer.
Winstead is Michelle, and she has been in a car crash. She awakes chained to a wall in a bunker. Goodman is Howard and he has built this bunker over several years, knowing that sooner than later he will need it. He saved Michelle’s life and convinces her that it is not safe outside. Why? Michelle (and the audience) has to take his word for it. There is no form of communication in the bunker. There is three years’ worth of food, a generator that has the lights, appliances and the DVD player working, as well as an air filtration system that will keep what’s killing people on the outside… on the outside.
The viewer and (via extension) Michelle does not wholeheartedly trust Howard. See, there are elements from Josh Campbell, Matthew Stuecken and Damien Chazelle’s screenplay that creates serious holes in the story that Howard is telling. Complicating things is the presence of John Gallagher Jr.’s Emmett. He’s a guest of Howard’s as well and as we hear more of how he got into the bunker, it only makes this web all the more thorny.
Twists and turns abound, and oftentimes there are left and right turns in the plot moments after a twist! All the while, the viewer will question everything. Like everything. Even Michelle’s backstory and current story is a tad on the shady side. We’ve given just enough to pull for her, but never enough to fully understand her motivations are or even her mental well-being.
Goodman and Winstead are sublime. The former makes a good foil, even if it is not a black and white case of villainy. Heck, he might be the savior here. That’s just it, we don’t know. It all depends on what happened outside. Is it World War III? Have aliens attacked? Terrorists? With Goodman’s command of Howard in full effect, it allows the mind to race and dash into areas that range from downright haunting to you just want to give the guy a hug.
Winstead compels in truly astounding of ways. She is the most fascinating of movie heroines. What she is up against, we can only assume. And for every single member of the audience, it could be something different. The tagline of the film is “monsters come in many forms.” That could not be more apt of an expression to embody 10 Cloverfield Lane. Who, what and where the monsters are can change on any given moment.
In a stroke of genius, the viewer sees the story through Michelle’s eyes. As much as she learns, or thinks she figures out, the audience does too. Yet, while we sit in the dark watching Trachtenberg rivet and rile us with his sonic scares and visual subtlety, there are more questions created than answers. Of course, that is a hallmark of a classic Abrams project. From Alias, Lost to Super 8 and even Star Wars: The Force Awakens, he is a filmmaker that keeps us guessing.
Many have asked if 10 Cloverfield Lane is a sequel to Cloverfield. Abrams, when squired on the subject, has said that it is a “blood relative.” Let’s just say that what happens at the titular address is just that — related. Are they siblings, cousins or even sixth cousins? Time will tell…
As the credits roll on 10 Cloverfield Lane, prepare to be exhausted in the most exhilarating of ways. Also, realize, that this story and this world… may just be beginning.
Grade: A