“10 Cloverfield Lane” is a Disconcerting Thrill Ride

“10 Cloverfield Lane,” re­leased on Mar. 11, is the first film by director Dan Trachten­berg, and was produced by JJ Abrams. It stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), John Goodman (yo u know who he is), and John Gal­lagher Jr. (known primarily for stage acting) as our only char­acters.

Taking place almost en­tirely underground in a fallout shelter, “10 Cloverfield Lane” is an incredibly cramped and uncomfortable film, but it was definitely the intent of the di­rector and cinematographer to get those feelings across.

Almost anything I can say about the film would be spoil­ers, as everything that happens is pretty much essential to the plot, which is a good thing.

Instead of a summary, I’ll just sing praises. The film is very well put together. Every scene matters, and almost ev­ery element introduced is con­nected in some way that makes them more important down the line.

John Goodman gives an ex­cellent, if not a little over the top, performance as a creepy and demanding conspiracy the­orist, Mary Elizabeth Winstead gives one of the most realistic performances of a woman in her position that I’ve probably ever seen in a film, and John Gallagher Jr. plays a loveable guy who acts as support for Winstead and as comic relief in this very serious and very tense film.

Running at an hour and 45 minutes, and only about 15 of those minutes being spent above ground, the cast and crew have little space to work with to present a compelling story. They absolutely succeed­ed. I was wrapped up in nearly every moment and was waiting to see what would happen next.

From start to finish (and the opening scene before the title card is one of the most in­tense scenes in the film) I was captivated. The only time the film might lose some audience members is in the last ten min­utes. Again, no spoilers, but the end is the only connection to the first “Cloverfield” that the movie has.

“10 Cloverfield Lane” is not a sequel nor is it a prequel. If anything, it runs parallel to the first film but in an entirely dif­ferent part of the country. Nar­ratively, visually, and themati­cally, the movies share very little in common. Don’t go in expecting to see another “Clo­verfield,” because that’s not what it is. Treat those two extra words like they mean some­thing, because they do.

I thoroughly enjoyed “10 Cloverfield Lane” and now would really like to see another film from the “Cloverfield” uni­verse because of it. It might be too creepy and unsettling for some viewers, and the ending might ruin it for a few as well, but for this reviewer.