10 Cloverfield Lane

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

Directed by: Dan Trachtenberg
Streaming on Prime Video
Spoilers Ahead. 

A terrific thriller. Set in the survival drama, one location set up, people trying to save their lives, this is always an interesting space to explore extreme emotions we go through. Even though there are only 3 characters in the film, the film has a lot of depth and detailing with the way they used the plot and the way they reveal certain details about the character. At first, we as an audience travel with the idea that Howard is lying to them and that he has other intentions. We root for Michelle to escape from the place and get free. And after an act into the film, we see Michelle finally stealing his keys, smashing his bottle with a glass of alcohol and fleeing the scene. But as she's about to open the door, we see someone mutated from the outside. Turns out, Howard was right. It's dangerous outside. This is such a killer turn in the film. Here on, we are filled with a lot of questions, but it also settles down the tension because at least the characters are on the same page. They get together, they bond well and almost live like a family. 

All of it again comes shattering when she goes to turn on the air conditioner and finds something shady. She talks to Emmett about it, and as they put pieces together, they realize that Howard actually kidnapped a young girl and killed her who he claims to be his daughter. There's a terrific scene in the film where they play a game to guess a movie, and the way they show Howard guessing words is a terrific way of revealing his character. The mystery slowly creeps in, till a point where it goes all out and becomes an action survival thriller. Finally, after she gets out, the film takes a complete tangent which I didn't see coming. I liked the absurdity and the unpredictability, but it didn't seem like a great pay off because of the setting of the film throughout. Although, I think it's a brilliant way to set up the film for a potential franchise - from an ultra low budget set up.