10 Cloverfield Lane
If you looked at Cloverfield (2008) from a 2016 film standpoint, it would seem like nothing. Found Footage films has lost it's charm. They all bring the same type of ending, plot ideas nor does do they work on a scary level. If you look at Cloverfield from the 2008 film standpoint though, it's well above average though. Cloverfield came out in a time when you had really only Blair Witch from 1999 like it. When we found out that we were getting a Cloverfield sequel or a spiritual successor of some sorts, you should have been worried. Those overdone Paranormal Activity sequel flashed in my brain or all these low end horror found footage films. 10 Cloverfield Lane is so different from what you should expect though and it's what a film sequel/spiritual successor should be.
After ending a relationship with her boyfriend, Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) gets in a car crash and gets resused by Howard Stambler (John Goodman) who laters describe to Michelle that some type of attack is upon us. Now joined also by a guy named Emmett (John Gallagher Jr.), all three of them live in this type of bunker and all who all are not willing to not go outside.
Right away, my mind flashed to the plot of Misery (1990). A stranger taking care of a person even though we don't why. John Goodman is really essentially then Kathy Bates or Annie Wilks. Goodman can so brutal at times while also his good side can come out and he provides the film comic relief. The character Michelle faces endless questions marks and as always, actress Winstead can do no wrong. Emment though is muddled and you really never do get to know him. Still, a strong cast with a lot of personality and Goodman maybe best performance.
As much as Cloverfield was all New York City, Ten Cloverfield Lane atomshpere is all a bunker. A bunker with original atmosphere that brings in the claustrophobic feel and style. Your faced with so many questions marks that never let up and ending that's nerve-racking. A last act that can't be predicted.
In the end, I don't think the payoff of this could have been as explosive as it could have but this film did well enough beforehand to survive. A film that's a guessing game that opens new doors and a new future. So different from the 2008 film with really no connection and a film alone that's different for horror films. A sequel/spiritual successor that changes sequels/spiritual successors.
