Eerie, chilling and ultimately a barrel of fun.

Rating: 7/10 (17 March 2016)

A "spiritual sequel" to Cloverfield, as producer of both films J.J. Abrams refers to it, this low-budget thriller breaks through the limitations of a single-location setting to generate mystery, apprehension and a healthy dose of the heebie-jeebies. Predominantly taking place in an underground bunker with only three inhabitants, the movie breeds unease and uncertainty on two different levels: was Earth actually attacked by extra-terrestrials? And is John Goodman's intense bunker-owner a monstrous killer? From a technical perspective, director Dan Trachtenberg effectively mines tension by juxtaposing loud, frenetic and in-your-face sequences of chaos with slowly building scenes of nerve-shredding silence and stillness. There is a point, however, when the imposing sound design becomes wearisome and the narrative propulsion relies a little too heavily on dubious plot contrivances. And the less said about the final 20 minutes – with an unwelcome and unnecessary sharp right turn – the better. The core on screen trio are a treat though. Goodman's bipolar whirlwind of a man is a force of nature you can't help but watch, whilst Mary Elizabeth Winstead is strong and likable as the sole female presence and John Gallagher Jr is endearingly normal as the third wheel. Stir into the mix a wonderfully off-kilter soundtrack and well-judged spurts of violence, and 10 Cloverfield Lane offers more than enough chills and thrills to be worth a trip to the cinema.