My 5 favorite things about 10 Cloverfield Lane

There has been some backlash after the release of Batman v Superman film. So as a healthy alternative, I wanted to compile a list of some of my favorite things about films that you might have slept on (not literally). 10 Cloverfield Lane is still fresh out of the box office and it has been praised by critics and fans. If you have not seen the first film, think of 10 Cloverfield Lane as the ‘blood relative’ of Cloverfield, as director J.J. Abrams stated in recent interviews. It still takes place within the Cloverfield universe but it’s a different approach on how suspense meets a god-like creature.

So without further ado and in no particular order, here are my 5 favorite things about 10 Cloverfield Lane:

5. The Characters

(Paramount Pictures)

Mary Elizabeth Winstead does a fine job capturing her moments of sheer terrors of complacency while still pretending to carry her persona as the go-with-the-flow victim when she thinks she is being held captive against her will. The real star of the film, however, is Howard Stambler, played by actor John Goodman. His performance is simply superb. Goodman is the one you might catch off guard because it might be difficult to process if he’s the antagonist or the protagonist. Despite his acts of ambiguity, John Goodman does a fantastic job as the facilitator with his menacing facial expressions and uncomfortable story telling. Sorry, not sorry.

4. The Suspense

What is going on here? Who is telling the truth? And where is the monster? It is really impressive when I got sidetracked and completely forgot the Cloverfield monster existed in the first place. I credit Dan Trachtenberg for the pacing of the film and how the writers got this one right. When there are moments of joy and laughter, suddenly there becomes a tense clash of the characters. You’ll be on the edge of your seat and experience the anxious moments when the pay-off concludes.

3. The Monster Itself

If and when you see the monster it will leave you wanting more. Not necessarily in a bad way, but it is as entrenched as the first time you see the beastly creature in the first film. With its god-like look, The Cloverfield monster can look as authentic as any creature in film history even with all its CGI effects.

2. The Story

The story is excellent. You will be focused and read in between the lines with engagement and extreme interest. Everything works here and it could have very well been 2 separate films if it really wanted to be; however, acts 1-3 were cohesive enough to keep you wanting more. 10 Cloverfield Lane’s story is probably more fleshed and well-thought out than of Cloverfield, but you don’t need to watch the first one in order to understand the second, and that’s what makes this film great.

1. The Scare Factor

Right away, 10 Cloverfield Lane pits you in a survival-of-the-fittest tale about 3 characters and the unknown and mysterious outside world. This film embodies what true horror should be like without the need of blood and overused casualties. Even when there are rare moments of violence, the terrors and suspense leading up to that was as horrifying as the death count itself. 10 Cloverfield Lane’s total sum of story, suspense, and cast of characters make-up for a surprisingly scary film.

What were some of your favorite things about 10 Cloverfield Lane?

Let us know in the comments below or you’ll be sorry.

-NERD OUT!