10 Spectacular Movies That Helped Redeem 2016

Despite its ending – which somewhat jumps the shark – 10 Cloverfield Lane is surprisingly nuanced, exploring characters within a single confined setting, a sinister premise framing the action. In this respect, the entire thing is brimming with narrative intrigue, the characters changing constantly as the story progresses, the audience never made comfortable enough to settle on single opinion of them. There’s humour too, but it’s equally as unsettling.

That said, the ending is surprisingly unsatisfactory, underwhelming despite its impressive scope, and appearing completely incongruously in relation to the larger experience. After all, the movie is patient – complete with a sombre tone and methodical pacing – but the ending is a climatic action set-piece, ripped straight from another movie. It’s absolutely jarring – but, if you pretend the movie ended fifteen minutes earlier – it’s perfect.

Honestly, 10 Cloverfield Lane could have easily topped this entire article, but the ending is lacking in any of the qualities which made the movie such a worthwhile experience. That said, it’s still great, and well worth your time.