What Does The Ending Of 10 Cloverfield Lane Really Mean?

Why Did Michelle Run Away At The Start?

All we see of the world pre-aliens is from Michelle's perspective as she runs away from her boyfriend (played by Bradley Cooper of all people), which also happens to be one of the movie's biggest hanging threads; why is she leaving him? This is kept purposely rather vague throughout the movie - which serves to ensure our focus is entirely on the events in the bunker and that we're as uncertain about events from the off as Michelle proves to be - but there are clues throughout to her motivations; it's alluded to later Michelle has an abusive past, and it seems like "Ben" may have been another link in that chain. However, it also ties into the bigger message of the movie - the idea of inactivity and avoiding one's responsibilities is an essential theme, and what we're seeing here is Michelle being proactive (running away) yet still being a coward (she's running away without a word).

Why Did The Ground Shake In New Orleans?

The very first thing we see in the film is the ground shaking, which to a marketing-tuned mind appears to point towards something (theamonster?!) causing it. It may be the first signs of the alien invasion, although it's just as likely a case of heightened reality, a physical representation of Michelle's inner turmoil, and with the expectations of the title also serves to distract from the base reasons for her running. In the reality thought, it's probably just her knocking a table. Also note that this opening sequence is shot almost entirely in extreme close-ups and with loudened sound effects, creating the feeling of being trapped well before Michelle is physically stuck in the bunker. This approach remains throughout the film until Michelle finally acclimatises to life with Howard and Emmett, after seeing the diseased woman, suggesting that despite all the restrictions now placed on her life, this is the first time we've seen her content and, thus, free.