The Psychological Tension of 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

Why did you trap us down here?

10 Cloverfield Lane escaped into theaters in 2016. A woman awakes in a chamber underneath the ground. Her captor claims that a hostile event has left Earth inhabitable. Michelle must fight for herself to free herself from this dungeon.

The more I watch 10 Cloverfield Lane, I always notice something different. This psychological thriller keeps audiences guessing as we also remain confined from the outside world. I have always been decisive about the ending if it makes sense.

10 Cloverfield Lane is cast well. Mary Elizabeth Winstead is an underrated actress. I have always liked her performance in the third Final Destination movie. Winstead studies her character’s survival instincts closely. Michelle is an integral character who uses tactics to free herself from the supposed imprisonment.

The same year he played an evil intruder in the horror film, Hush, I still cannot believe John Gallagher Jr. is playing the good-natured Emmett. Gallagher has a comical personality, making Emmett somewhat oblivious to the situation. That’s acting for you!

Speaking of versatile acting, John Goodman’s performance is one of my favorites. Who knew the actor who played Fred Flinstone could be intimidating? Howard is persistent in keeping his guests protected, even if that means enforcing strict living rules.

Goodman is excellent in the role, adding his trademark humor. That scene where he’s dancing on the stairs never gets old. However, the unsettling notion that Howard could turn manipulative at any second drives home Goodman’s performance. Just listen to his cryptic version of Santa Claus and tell me you don’t feel goosebumps!

The dynamic between these three characters fuels the film. The actors made genuine connections in their scenes. Not only Michelle but the audience too are left to question whether Howard is telling the truth or if he has more sinister intentions.

Dan Trachtenberg filmed 10 Cloverfield Lane in chronological order. He paced the story well, like a stage play. This technique keeps viewers in suspense about the outcome. Until my most recent watch, I didn’t notice how the opening is silent. That’s an effective technique to draw audiences into the story.

10 Cloverfield Lane takes place in one setting. The design of Howard’s underground safe house is the most important element of 10 Cloverfield Lane. It’s a comfy environment with couches, a kitchen, and a jukebox (which Howard likes to dance to).

Don’t let the lavish environment fool you because it’s claustrophobic with the lack of windows and exits. Trachtenberg utilizes space to his advantage, making even mundane tasks like dinner or playing games with Howard feel like high-stakes scenarios.

The film’s pacing is deliberate—it's slow, but in a way that allows the tension to unfold gradually. Trachtenberg plays with the audience. This is a thriller that doesn’t rely on jump scares but skillfully builds a sense of unease in its atmosphere.

Filmmakers also worked closely to establish the lighting, taking the time to experiment with most scenes. That’s why you should brainstorm several movie ideas, including the story, technical elements, and direction in a scene. The final product may take a completely different format but be more advanced than before.

Without giving away spoilers, I have always been decisive about the ending on whether it was forced or should have been kept ambiguous. I read that 10 Cloverfield Lane ties into Cloverfield (2008). 10 Cloverfield Lane should have been left as a standalone, moving away from its psychological thriller aspects to a sci-fi climax.

All psychological thrillers have different atmospheres. 10 Cloverfield Lane keeps you alert on what happens next.