Smart, solidly crafted, and palpably tense, 10 Cloverfield Lane makes the most of its confined setting and outstanding cast -- and suggests a new frontier for franchise filmmaking.
10 Cloverfield Lane alternates moods seamlessly, ratcheting tension to the breaking point and then deflating it with black humor.
A wildly entertaining genre mash-up.
After a particularly dull Oscar season, this is a refreshing and extremely satisfying palette cleanser.
Don't give away the secret of this J.J. Abrams production, which begins as one sort of movie before turning into another sort of movie but manages to be continuously bad.
By the end, 10 Cloverfield Lane feels like a marketing plan posing as a movie.
A smart and tense chamber piece that builds suspense carefully.
As a taut pot-boiler, 10 Cloverfield Lane is an unequivocal success, a crafty thriller that keeps the audience guessing up until its final act.
Believe the hype. 10 Cloverfield Lane is a masterclass in crafting mystery, and an impressive debut for director Dan Trachtenberg.
This movie is significantly better than its predecessor, so it's probably best to leave any expectations the Cloverfield brand may conjure in your mind at the theater door.
Sequel or not, there's no doubt that 10 Cloverfield Lane works beautifully as a stand-alone film.
Original, phenomenal and filled with maximum shocks.
An intriguing little psychological thriller where the drama rises as the mystery deepens. The three leads are very good, especially Goodman.
Tense survival thriller about three people in a bunker after a supposed attack on the US. The characters are great, the situation tense and the direction flawless. Especially the ending makes you sit on the edge of your seat for minutes. The final twist may not find universal love, but it is actually consistent with the setup. Great entertainment.
10 Cloverfield Lane is probably the most original "invasion" film in awhile best described as an unpredictable mosaic of cheap thrills played out by a very talented cast. The story meanders through a series of subplots strung loosely by the premise of an apocalyptic attack which works largely in the films favour as all unfolds like a multilayered mystery. However once the thrills have subsided and all has been revealed a very crudely crafted tale lays bare. If not for stellar leads and a careful attention to direction there's really not much to look at here.
Howard Stambler: I focused on being prepared.
Howard Stambler: I accept your apology.
Howard Stambler: Crazy is building the ark after the flood has already come.