"You Don't Know What's Out There!"
This is going to be a tricky review. This is one of J.J. Abrams' latest "mystery box" movies so in order to have the best experience, it is imperative that you know as little as possible. As that is the case, this review will be shorter than some of my other film pieces. In fact, I would recommend not reading this review until you have seen the movie just in case I give any kind of info away that might get you on the right track as far as the characters and plot go. So if you choose to stop here for now, know that 10 Cloverfield Lane is an excellent closed room thriller with a similar tone to Cloverfield, even if it has little to do with it other than its tone and title. Regardless of it not being a sequel, it is well worth your time and you may be surprised by the revelations and the intensity this great little movie contains. My few (hopefully) spoiler-free thoughts are after the jump, but stop here if you do not want to risk anything at all. It will be a better experience that way.
I went and saw this film twice within the same weekend. The first time I saw it I was a bit baffled by where the film goes, especially in its final 10-15 minutes. However, after seeing it again I realized that I deeply appreciated the boldness of it and how it is connected to the central message of the film. This is the kind of film that Hollywood needs to make more of. It is cheap, small scale, and relies on ideas and performances to generate tension and thrills. The film's production budget is rumored to be around 5 million dollars, which is minuscule compared to your 250 million+ Batman v. Superman style movies that dominate the theaters today. Nothing against those films as they are often a lot of fun, but it is so nice to see a film rely on old-fashioned film technique to create an entertaining and thought provoking experience.
This film has everything you could want in a piece of popcorn entertainment. It has sci-fi elements, drama, some comedy, superb performances, and some riveting plot developments. Most of this film takes place in one small location with the same three characters, but the screenplay does an expert job ratcheting up the tension and mystery to an almost unbearable degree at some points. What sells the more outlandish plots elements are the performances. Mary Elizabeth Winstead is a fantastic screen presence and a refreshing one. Her character never goes into "NO DON'T GO IN THERE YOU STUPID MOVIE CHARACTER!" territory. Instead, she is intelligent and thinks her way through every situation. Even when she is threatened and victimized, she is never just a victim. She relies on intuition and bravery to try to make the best of her situation. It is a kind of character that we do not see enough of.
As good as Mary Elizabeth Winstead is though, the one who truly steals this movie is John Goodman. This is a powerhouse performance with shades of his unsettling character from Barton Fink. He never settles into the "creepy predator" territory. He can be sympathetic and tender one moment and completely threatening the next. This is a very layered performance with a lot of pain and desperation going on under the surface. You get the sense that this is a character with a history that matters, even after the supposed end of the world. He has a vanity and prissiness that is almost endearing at times, at least until his controlling nature and anger come out in sudden bursts. His role in the struggles of trust and distrust that erupt in this locked room with the other characters is an interesting one and one that John Goodman mines for every bit of substance he can. It is an amazing performance and has already been called by other publications as the first Oscar worthy performance of 2016. I have to agree.
This is a great film. Go in with the right expectations and you will be rewarded. It is a taut and suspenseful film with just enough levity to not be overbearing in its darkness. When the reveal comes, it is sudden but works completely with the thematic structure that the film sets up in its first scene and contributes to the message that no matter where you are, there will be tough situations that you must overcome in order to survive.
Grade: A.
10 Coverfield Lane is now playing in theaters everywhere.
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