A Movie Review: 10 Cloverfield Lane

10 Cloverfield Lane. The movie opens with Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) dealing with a breakup. She gets into her car and drives into the night. In a sudden moment, a truck crashes into her. She wakes up in a small cement room that is part of a bunker, handcuffed and an intravenous tube attached to her arm. She's being held captive or is she? Eventually, the door opens and Howard (John Goodman) walks in. He doesn't initially give her a feel-good sense. She soon is introduced to another individual, Emmett (John Gallagher Jr.). Emmett tells Michelle that he fought his way into the bunker. What is going on? Howard and Emmett are convinced that America has been attacked via chemical warfare.

After Michelle is confronted with compelling proof that there is something seriously wrong in the outside world, the three of them settle into a semi-comfortable situation. Yet, signs start to pop up that indicate that Howard is not mentally stable. Michelle and Emmett initiate an attempt to gain greater freedom.

This movie reminds one of Room. I have to say that I enjoyed 10 Cloverfield Lane much better. Maybe it has to do with the Sci Fi elements of this movie. Room was about trying to escape a terrible situation. 10 Cloverfield Lane deals with taking a leap of faith, depending on gut feelings. In Cloverfield, it is obvious that something has happened. Yet, there are clues that Michelle and Emmett are being protected by a psychopath. What does one do? Which risk is worse: staying with a madman or potentially facing the aftermath of a chemical attack? The tensions just grow.

My one issue: I think there are two major flaws towards the end of the movie. One has to do with Michelle and her clothing. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but it just seemed off considering what we learned about the outside world. The second has to do with why certain parts of the bunker that broke weren't fixed. The answer to that one is obvious when it comes to the story line, but still.