10 Cloverfield Lane Review: John Goodman’s Best Performance Yet

Director: Dan Trachtenberg

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

Running Time: 1 hour 46 mins 

Release Date: 18th March 2016

When Matt Reeves’ found footage alien invasion flick CLOVERFIELD first hit cinemas in 2008, audiences were taken aback by the unique narrative structure of weaving the story through hand-held video camera footage the exact length of a standard DV tape. With the likes of Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas, T.J. Miller, Michael Stahl-David and Mike Vogal taking center stage and with a script from esteemed writer and producer Dew Goddard, the film had a budget of $25,000,000 and went on to gross around $80,000,000 world wild; becoming an instant fan favourite.

The hype behind CLOVERFIELD soon died down and with radio silence from all involved there was no hint at any kind of sequel movie. Colour us surprised then when a trailer dropped a couple of months ago for 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE, a quasi-sequel that promised a different kind story to what we experienced in the first film.

Starring John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Gallagher Jr, 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE immediately stirred up serious excitement from fans of the original movie, while also sparking the attention from traditional thriller fans.

When Michelle (Winstead) makes the emotional decision to skip town and leave her long term boyfriend,  she heads out on the road, heading vaguely in the direction of Louisiana, looking for a fresh start while ignoring the barrage of phone calls from her panicked ex. Gripping the steering wheel and staring determinedly out on to the open road, Michelle is viciously thrown off the road in a violent car crash. Her world goes momentarily blank. 

Waking up in a cold and bare room, Michelle begins to question where she is as the reality of what has happened begins to hit her. There’s a drip in her arm and a dirty blanket has been thrown over her as she lays on a thin mattress on the floor. Panic takes over as she realises her leg has been chained to the wall; she’s trapped. 

Her supposed captor delivers her breakfast and introduces himself as Howard (Goodman), a survivalist who informs her that there has been an unknown attack against Earth and, after finding her unconscious on the side of the road, brought her to his bunker and evidently saved her life. Emmett (Gallagher), another survivor, witnessed the epic attack and fled to Howard’s bunker hoping for a save haven.

After initial disbelief, Michelle starts to accept her situation and the three survivors begin to settle into life in the bunker; wishing the time away with puzzles, board-games and old VHS tapes. However, as Howard’s behaviour becomes more and more erratic and Michelle’s suspicions about his real intentions grows, tensions rise and life in the bunker becomes just as dangerous as the mysteries that lurk beyond the locked doors. 

Fans of the first CLOVERFIELD movie may be confused, if not disappointed, by the lack of connection between the original film and this new one. While it’s apparent that this narrative happens in the same timeline as the first movie, that really is the only correlation between the two. In saying that, 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE really works as a standalone movie due to the brilliantly tense narrative and knockout performances from all involved; therefore it cleverly appeals to those enticed by its connection to the original flick but also incorporates the traditional codes and conversions that die hard thriller fans are no doubt looking out for. 

With a script from Josh Campbell and Matthew Stuecken, 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE weaves a clever and undeniably tense story of survival, deception and danger. As our shoulders creep higher in discomfort and aching tension, our desperation for Michelle’s safety grows stronger from scene to scene. The narrative takes us on a twisting ride of adrenaline as the talented writers continuously make us doubt our own interpretations of the characters and second guess just where the narrative will take us.

With the narrative taking place primarily within the cramped bunker, the set design team did a brilliant job in creating a space that emphasizes the claustrophobia of the situation but also creates a false sense of home comforts that leads to a juxtaposing sense of stifling intimacy. With its shaggy carpet, industrial-like containers of food, homely decor and looming low ceilings; the bunker is the ideal location for such a tense narrative and the clever cinematography aids the sense of being utterly trapped and being in danger from what lies beyond the bunker and what horrors can be found within it.

All three central characters are wonderfully written and each actor approached the project with real commitment and bravery. Winstead and Gallagher make a brilliant duo that urge you to root for them from the very beginning of the narrative; even when you’re unsure what exactly they need protecting from. With smaller roles in the likes of THE THING and SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD, this performance could easily propel Winstead into a career of high-profile, bigger budgeted blockbusters. She makes Michelle instantly likable, a sense of vulnerability marrying wonderfully with her sheer will and strength to survive. Her actions feel justified and we find ourselves nodding in agreement with each action she takes. 

However, despite Winstead and Gallagher’s top performances, 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE is absolutely John Goodman’s film. His performance as the cringingly unsettling Howard is truly unnerving and leaves us wide eyed and open mouthed at Goodman’s brilliant take on the character. What’s so crushing about his character is that there are moments when we feel genuine sympathy for him, we’re left unsure of his real intentions so when they appear to be innocent; out heart swells.

With that sense of empathy comes a crushing blow of sheer terror as Howard’s temperament changes in an instant. He’s fierce, unbalanced and terrifying and when his intentions become darker as the narrative continues, our chest becomes tight with fear for Michelle and Emmett; who exactly are they living with? This is easily one of his very best contemporary performances, he is so crushingly unnerving in both stature and attitude that his take on the character stays with you long after the credits role. 

The narrative and direction goes from strength to strength as the running time ticks away but it’s easy to see how the final act of the movie will split audience opinions. While we reside in the bunker, it’s easy to forget the destruction and super natural attack that is destroying Earth, so when the narrative takes on a more action-based, otherworldly theme in the final few scenes; it can feel a little disorienting for an audience that is already stiff with tension. 

That really is the only major criticism one can find within 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE. Otherwise, what we have is a high-octane, excruciatingly tense and wonderfully performed hit. All from a first time director that takes on the project with real gusto. If you’re going into this film expecting a direct sequel to CLOVERFIELD, you’re going to be disappointing. However, if you’re looking for a seriously great film in the same universe as the original hit; you’re going to leave a very happy film fan. 

Verdict

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