We watched the original Cloverfield to close out Alien/Space Week, and I alluded to it spawning one of the best horror movies of the modern era. No, I wasn’t talking about the Cloverfield Paradox. I’m talking about 10 Cloverfield Lane, a 2016 psychological horror film starring some of my favorite actors such as the flawless Mary Elizabeth Winstead and the greatest actor alive, John Goodman. While I don’t want to say too much about the movie because it’s best experienced when you know nothing about it, I will say that it does not require a viewing of the original Cloverfield (thought it is recommended) and it’s shot traditionally for those of you who have disabilities that make watching found footage-style movies difficult.
What makes 10 Cloverfield Lane scary, and more than that, why does it earn a spot on my pretty exclusive Halloween list? To put it simply: because it’s terrifying. Several different forms of fear are depicted rather realistically in this movie: fear of being trapped, fear of emotional instability, fear of powerlessness under cruel authority. 10 Cloverfield Lane creates a unique balance of desperation and resolution as we see the protagonists get pushed and pulled each direction over the course of the movie, battling against seemingly insurmountable odds and resigning themselves to a dark fate then back around again. The emotional strength and volatility of the movie are palpable throughout it, leaving viewers uncomfortable with each scene. I really can’t say anymore without spoiling the movie; just watch it! It ranks along with As Above, So Below as the best horror film I’ve seen in the last 5 years.
For Halloween, I’ll be releasing articles on three of my favorite horror movies of all time! The Grudge, Evil Dead, and Get Out are the ones crowning my October adventure!
