To call this film intense feels like an understatement. The film focuses on Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) who is running away from home, when her car is hit off the road. When she awakens, she is in an underground bunker, tied up and unable to move. The man who saved (or captured) her is Howard (John Goodman) - he is larger than life in every sense of the word. He tells Michelle than he has saved her life, she tries to leave but Howard tells her there is nobody left - there was either nuclear fall out or Martians, this is why he claims he built the bunker.
Along with Howard is Emmet (John Gallagher Jr) who helped him build the shelter, and is also clearly scared of Howard, but who's side is he really on? Michelle, being very curious, begins to see things maybe she wished she hadn't. Is the real monster in the bunker or living above them?
As of only a few months ago, we were not aware this film had been made, it came out of nowhere. Going in, I knew nothing which to me was perfect. First time director Dan Trachtenberg has knocked this out of the park. He has achieved something rare, an original film with huge rewatchability. The film only allows a few moments of breathing time before it throws you right in, the tension only intensifies as the film continues.
The actors are all on the top of their game here, especially Goodman, who plays a very unsettling and sinister character. The more we discover about him, the more his intent disturbs us as the audience. Weinsted is also excellent here, this role will surely shoot her straight to stardom. She is likeable and sympathetic throughout.
It is puzzling that this film has Cloverfield in the title. The creators want us to look at this as a 'blood relative' of the first film and not a direct sequel, which I have to be honest is frustrating. It doesn't seem they are even in the same timeline?
Despite this, the film is a nail biting, self contained thriller with a sci-fi element. I loved the ending, but I know not everyone did. I felt like everything felt earned in this movie.
Please keep this up Mr. Abrams and friends! 8.5/10
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