America’s obsession with extraterrestrial beings gave birth to the alien invasion trope in the genre of science fiction films, serving as both a reflection of cultural anxieties and a vehicle for exploring profound existential questions. Emerging in the mid-20th century, particularly during the Cold War, these films tapped into fears of the unknown, foreign threats, and the potential consequences of technological advancement. These films cast aliens as vicious invaders hellbent on humanity’s annihilation or innocuous intergalactic travelers victimized by our own inhumanity to strangers.
Films such as “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (1951), “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (1978), “Alien” (1979), “Independence Day” (1996), “Cloverfield” (2008), and “Arrival” (2016) illustrate how the genre mirrored societal concerns while also probing deeper questions about identity, morality, and humanity’s place in the universe. This enduring trope has evolved, adapting to contemporary issues while remaining a captivating element of American popular films, highlighting our fascination with the cosmos and the uncertainties it brings.
In Dan Trachtenberg’s directorial debut, “10 Cloverfield Lane,” the alien invasion trope converges with themes of domestic terror, creating an atmosphere of claustrophobia and uncertainty, mirroring societal fears of the unknown—both from extraterrestrial threats and from within our own communities. A spiritual successor to the 2008 film “Cloverfield” and the best of the franchise, this film intertwines themes of paranoia, isolation, and the fragility of human relationships. Set in a world invaded by alien life forms, the film follows a young woman who wakes up in an underground bunker with two men who insist that an event has left the surface of Earth uninhabitable.
This article discusses the plot in detail with a close examination of prominent themes, motifs, and issues employed in the film. Proceed with caution as there are MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!! Refrain from reading the article and save it for later if you haven’t watched the movie. Happy reading!
10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
Prologue
The film opens with Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a young woman from New Orleans, packing her bag and departing her apartment in haste, leaving behind her house keys and engagement ring on the table, following a heated argument with her fiancé, Ben. Seeking solace, she embarks on a solo journey through the lush Louisiana landscape. As she stops to refuel at a quaint gas station, her gaze meets the piercing stare of a stranger in a nearby pickup truck, leaving an unsettling impression.
Undeterred, Michelle continues her journey, only to be interrupted by Ben’s persistent calls, begging her to come back. Resolute in her decision, she doesn’t answer his calls. The radio crackles with news of widespread power outages and widespread blackouts plaguing major cities when Ben’s calls resume, but before she can respond, her car is suddenly hit and rolled off the road, knocking her unconscious.
Why Does Howard Hold Michelle Captive?
When Michelle wakes up, she finds herself confined to a stark, concrete cell, her leg chained to the wall. Frantic, she scrambles for her cell phone, only to discover there’s no signal as she finds herself underground in a bunker. Her captor is an older, imposing figure named Howard Stambler (John Goodman), who soon arrives and brings her food.
Michelle desperately pleads for her release, stating that she won’t tell anyone. She also tells him that her boyfriend must be looking for her. Howard’s chilling retort echoes through the room: “No one is looking for you.” After he leaves, Michelle takes the crutch provided by her captor and sharpens it to use it as a makeshift weapon. She then sets her blanket on fire, a ruse to lure the man back to the room. When he enters, Michelle launches a fierce ambush, but her plan is swiftly foiled when the stranger sedates her.
When she awakens for the second time, she finds Howard sitting before her. He commends her fighting spirit, asserting that it earns his respect. Michelle still begs to let her go, but Howard states, “There is nowhere to go.” He claims that a catastrophic attack on the surface has rendered the outside world uninhabitable and that they are safe in the bunker, located under his farmhouse. He explains that he rescued Michelle after her accident, saving her life.
Michelle thanks him and tells him that she should go to a hospital, but Howard counters that they cannot leave as the air outside is contaminated. He remarks that the air probably won’t be breathable for one or two years. And he had grabbed Michelle just in time to get her into the bunker he built in anticipation of precisely such an event. When Michelle demands to contact her family, Howards says that they are the only survivors and everyone outside is dead.
Suddenly, a loud crash resonates outside the room, prompting Howard’s irate outburst. He yells at an unseen presence, his anger palpable. Returning to Michelle, Howard tells her that she needs to eat, sleep, and show him “a little bit of appreciation.” He then leaves the room telling her that his name is Howard. Michelle grapples with disbelief and fear as she begins to question Howard’s motives and the reality of the world beyond her confinement.
Did Howard Hit Michelle’s Car?
On getting out of her room to explore, Michelle meets Emmett DeWitt (John Gallagher Jr.) who enquires about her well-being and confirms the claims made by Howard. The earlier commotion was caused by Emmett who knocked over a shelf with a whole week’s worth of food. Howard joins them and escorts Michelle on a tour of the bunker, pointing out its amenities and from the looks of it, Howard appears to be a doomsday prepper.
Michelle hears sounds from above, resembling that of a car, but Howard denies her doubts, insisting that the surface is contaminated. She urges him to at least attempt to establish contact with the outside world, but he maintains that such efforts would be futile. Howard shows Michelle his two decomposing pigs, Frank and Mildred, through a viewport as evidence of the devastating fallout. As she scans the surroundings, Michelle’s gaze falls upon Howard’s truck, triggering a disturbing recollection: the same vehicle had struck her car. It dawns on her that he is the very individual responsible for the collision with her car.
Later, Michelle is joined by Emmett in her room who jokingly comments about Howard being only upset by the dead pigs when it is the end of the world. Michelle seizes the opportunity, inquiring about Howard’s past. Emmett reveals that Howard served in the Navy and worked with satellites. He also shares his experience helping Howard build the bunker. Michelle remains skeptical, convinced that Howard kidnapped her.
Emmett counters with his eyewitness account of the catastrophic event after which he voluntarily came to the bunker. He recounts his return from work, witnessing a blinding red flash reminiscent of biblical descriptions. Unconvinced, Michelle suggests alternative explanations: fireworks or a fleeting fire. Emmett persists, adamant that the disaster is real. Michelle tells Emmett that she heard the sound of a car above the bunker. Their conversation is interrupted by Howard, who calls them to have dinner.
Why Did Michelle Try To Escape?
At dinner, Emmett shares his regret over never getting a tattoo and suggests passing time in the bunker with board games. However, his lighthearted comments irritate Howard, who brusquely orders Emmett to silence. Michelle requests a napkin from Emmett, sparking a conversation about her childhood favorite board games. She asks Emmett for the salt, their hands touching briefly as they exchange a flirtatious glance.
Howard’s anger boils over, showing flashes of jealousy, and little tolerance for Emmett. He misinterprets Michelle’s playful gesture as an insult to Howard who saved her life. Emmett intervenes, attempting to calm Howard, but is met with a stern command to stay quiet. Seizing the distraction, Michelle discreetly steals Howard’s keys. Enraged, Howard forces Michelle to apologize and promise obedience.
When they resume dinner, Howard realizes that he hasn’t got the keys with him. The sound of a car from above startles Michelle and she tries to escape. Michelle smashes a glass bottle over Howard’s head. Howard gives chase and follows her, but when Michelle is about to open the door, she witnesses a woman covered with lesions outside, pleading to be let in. Howard tells her to not do it as she was exposed. The woman demands aggressively to open the door and ends up bashing her head on the door.
Who Is Megan?
Horrified, Michelle retreats to her room. Howard confesses to Michelle that he accidentally struck Michelle’s car in a panic trying to reach the bunker after he found out about the incoming attack. After showering, Howard requests Michelle’s help stitching his wound, despite her lack of medical expertise. He reassures her, offering guidance. Convinced to trust him, Michelle stitches the cut that she caused Howard.
Howard reveals that he recognized the woman by her car. Her name is Leslie, a neighbor, who was aware of Howard’s proactive measures for impending disasters. Howard tells Michelle that Emmett is not the only one who knows about this place, and like Leslie, others could be coming here too. Howard opens up about his estranged daughter, Megan, showing Michelle a cherished photo. Megan’s mother relocated to Chicago, turning Megan against him.
Emmett consoles Michelle, acknowledging the impossibility of saving the disfigured and lesion-ravaged woman. He shares his regrets about missing out on attending Louisiana State University. He never left his hometown due to his fear of not being successful. Michelle reciprocates, revealing a haunting memory. A few years ago, when she was in a hardware store, she saw a little girl with her father. He was in a hurry and she wasn’t keeping up.
Also Read: 10 Movies to Watch if You Like Knock at the Cabin (2023)
The father kept yanking her arm too hard. Michelle also tells him when her father got that way, her brother Colin was always there to take the worst of it for her. She wanted to intervene when a little girl was harshly treated by her father. But she kept watching and did nothing. The little girl slips and it throws her father off-balance and he hits her. Megan regrets not helping the little girl and says that she always runs away when things get hard.
Did Howard Lie About Megan?
As days pass in the bunker, Michelle adapts to her new reality alongside Howard and Emmett. However, tranquillity is shattered by strange noises from above. Emmett suggests a helicopter, but Howard speculates it could be an extraterrestrial ship, sparking tension. An alarm pierces the air as the air filtration system fails. Howard emphasizes the urgency: without repair, breathable air will dwindle. Michelle, the only one small enough, navigates the narrow vent. After successfully restoring the air system, she notices a blood-stained earring below a hatch to the surface with the word “HELP” scrawled on the hatch.
Upon returning, Michelle shares her discovery with Emmett, revealing the blood-stained earring and the “HELP” message. Convinced it belongs to Megan, she accuses Howard of murder. Emmett examines the photo and corrects Michelle: the earring actually belongs to Brittany, a local girl missing for two years. Horrified, they realize Howard’s true nature: a kidnapper and killer. Emmett proposes retrieving his weapon and restraining Howard to extract a confession. “We can’t be the only survivors,” Emmett urges. Their conversation is interrupted by Howard, who appears, oblivious to their suspicions. He congratulates them on their teamwork, breaks into dance, and orders Michelle to shower.
Why Did Howard Kill Emmett?
Deciding to seek help, Michelle devises a plan to fashion a makeshift hazmat suit using Howard’s shower curtain to venture outside. Emmett facilitates this by deceiving Howard, suggesting Michelle contaminated the shower after fixing the air system. Howard discards the curtain, which Emmett and Michelle retrieve. Michelle creates detailed sketches and begins constructing the suit, utilizing Howard’s tools. However, their clandestine efforts nearly get exposed during game night.
While they were working on the suit, Howard summoned Michelle and Emmett to move a barrel to his room. Upon revealing the barrel contains perchloric acid, he accuses them of stealing his tools. He threatens to kill them and immerse them both in perchloric acid unless they confess. Emmett assumes full responsibility, fabricating a story that he sought Howard’s gun to gain Michelle’s respect, absolving her of involvement. Howard appears to accept Emmett’s apology before suddenly executing him with a gunshot to the head. Howard then comforts Michelle, chillingly declaring, “This was the way it was always supposed to be.”
10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) Movie Ending Explained:
How Did Michelle Escape The Bunker?
Following Emmett’s tragic demise, Michelle mourns his loss, gazing at his ID card. Howard’s sudden appearance, clean-shaven and bearing ice cream, chills her. His declaration of becoming a “happy family” of two only fuels her determination. Michelle accelerates her escape plan, completing the bio-suit. However, Howard’s untimely return for dinner forces her to conceal it. As he leaves, Michelle notices him catching a glimpse of the suit under the bed.
Michelle swiftly locks Howard in her room and makes her way to his quarters, where she discovers Emmett’s remains being dissolved in perchloric acid. Cornered by Howard, who freed himself, Michelle faces his wrath. Howard accuses her of repaying his kindness with betrayal. Michelle retaliates, knocking the acid barrel into Howard, who lands face-first. Michelle makes a run to get her suit. Unbeknownst to Michelle, the acid ignites an electrical fire, engulfing the bunker.
Michelle retrieves the bio-suit in her room, but Howard, his face grotesquely burned, corners her once more. She knocks over a shelf, sending Howard crashing to the ground, unconscious. Swiftly, Michelle makes a break for the vents. However, Howard recovers and pursues her with a knife. As Michelle navigates the air ducts, Howard’s pleas turn menacing. In a desperate effort to stop Michelle, he begs Michelle to stay with him as she can’t run from the aliens.
Michelle refuses, kicking Howard’s melted hand to free herself. She presses on, determined to escape. In the air filtration system room, Michelle utilizes a chemical coolant to freeze and shatter the padlock securing the hatch. With seconds to spare, she bursts through the hatch, escaping the bunker mere moments before it erupts in a catastrophic explosion.
How Did Michelle Destroy The Alien Ship?
After escaping, Michelle’s makeshift hazmat suit cracks, prompting a frantic repair attempt. However, spotting birds flying overhead, she realizes the air is breathable and removes her mask. Her relief is short-lived, as an alien spacecraft appears on the horizon. Howard’s bunker explodes, drawing the craft’s attention. The ship deploys an unknown alien creature, forcing Michelle to seek refuge in a nearby shed. Inside, she discovers Leslie’s corpse and retrieves her keys.
Michelle attempts to hide in the house but is ambushed by the alien ship, which unleashes toxic green gas. She survives by wearing her mask and takes shelter in Howard’s truck. As she enters, the quadrupedal alien creature removes her helmet. The ship ensnares her car with its tentacles. Michelle realizes the toxic gas is flammable and crafts a Molotov cocktail. Just as the ship prepares to consume her, she hurls the cocktail into its maw. A chain reaction ensues, destroying the ship and releasing the truck. Michelle seizes the opportunity to escape.
Michelle awakens to the fiery wreckage of the alien spacecraft crashing to the ground. Shaken but determined, she departs the farm in Leslie’s car. As she drives, a radio transmission crackles to life, announcing humanity’s successful reclaiming of the southern coast. The message urges individuals with medical or combat expertise to converge in Houston. Without hesitation, Michelle sets course for Houston, compelled to join the resistance. Unbeknownst to her, a far larger and more ominous alien vessel hurtles towards the city, threatening the fragile hope of humanity’s resurgence.
What Was Howard’s True Intentions With Michelle?
Initially, Howard appears as a survivalist and doomsday prepper who anticipated the alien invasion. However, Michelle’s growing suspicions and speculations reveal his sinister true nature. Howard’s 14-year Navy background working on satellite provided him with foresight into the impending catastrophe. His comments about his daughter Megan and ex-wife seem innocuous until Michelle discovers the disturbing truth.
The photo and clothes Howard claimed to be of Megan’s actually belonged to Brittany, a local girl missing for two years. This chilling revelation implies Howard kidnapped, held captive, and likely murdered Brittany when she became disobedient. Howard’s fixation on having a family and replacing his estranged daughter drives his actions. He seeks control and companionship by kidnapping women to fill this void. Brittany and Michelle are part of a disturbing string of captives. Howard seized the alien attack as an opportunity to manipulate Michelle, keeping her captive in the bunker.
10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) Movie Themes Explained:
Isolation And Paranoia
In “10 Cloverfield Lane,” Howard embodies the core themes of isolation and paranoia. His excessive paranoia and delusional beliefs prompt him to construct a bunker with the help of his assistant Emmett, allegedly to safeguard against alien attacks. His Navy experience working on satellites likely informed his supposed foresight into the invasion.
Howard’s desperation for a “happy family” stems from his troubled past. Possibly, his wife, exhausted by his conspiracy theories and paranoia, took their daughter and relocated to Chicago. This abandonment left Howard feeling alienated and lonely. Howard seeks companionship to fill the hole his wife and daughter left and to alleviate his isolation, resorts to kidnapping women, and holding them captive in the bunker.
Fear And Regret
The film examines fear and regret through the characters of Michelle and Emmett. In the film, Michelle’s fear is twofold – fear of the outside or external threats manifested through the alien invasion and confinement in the bunker, evoking fear of the unknown; and the fear of inadequacy from her troubled past, marred by childhood abuse and unresolved trauma. Michelle is portrayed as afraid and unsure of herself through two incidents she shares with Emmett.
She reveals that her brother used to save her from the wrath of her father when she was young, making her aloof to save her own skin. This fear is carried on in the future when Michelle refuses to intervene when a stranger hits his daughter. Emmett also expresses regret over not getting any tattoos and missing out on the opportunity to attend Louisiana State University.
Michelle’s fear is psychological and she regrets not acting on several occasions. She left her boyfriend as she was afraid to face the situation head-on. However, in the end, Michelle adapts and survives, illustrating resilience. She displays resourcefulness that allows her to skillfully escape from Howard’s clutches twice with the first during dinner and another when she determines herself to escape the bunker.
She also crafted a bio-suit utilizing her designer skills to survive the contaminated air. Additionally, she manages to improvise a Molotov cocktail for her to defeat the alien spaceship. Thus, Michelle overcomes her fears and knowingly heads into peril. She saves herself and drives towards Houston to save what is left of humanity.
Transition From Victim To Survivor To Warrior
In “10 Cloverfield Lane,” Michelle undergoes a transformative journey from victimhood to survivor, breaking free from captivity and abuse. Howard embodies the classic abuser archetype, exhibiting behaviors suggestive of systematic domestic abuse against his wife and daughter. His treatment of Michelle, marked by jealousy and misogyny, reinforces this notion. Michelle’s experience with Howard is characterized by control, domination, and disregard for her autonomy. His abusive nature is evident from the outset, prioritizing manipulation over empathy.
However, Michelle’s resilience and determination enable her to challenge Howard’s authority and fight for her agency. For Michelle, confronting Howard signifies a pivotal shift. Previously inclined to flee from adversity, she now stands firm, refusing to be intimidated. This newfound empowerment propels her forward. As Michelle sets course for Houston, knowingly venturing into peril, she demonstrates a profound awareness: peace is achievable only by confronting hardship head-on. Her transformation is complete at last – from vulnerable captive to empowered survivor to humanity’s warrior.
![The Two Popes [2019] Netflix Review: A Beautiful Character Study](https://www.highonfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/The-Two-Popes-768x433.jpg)
