Let me just say up front: this film pays off. The scenario creates a big mystery, but the reality is worth the wait. A woman (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) wakes up from a car accident to find herself in a bunker. The host/capturer (John Goodman, who’s wonderfully creepy but still charming) tells her that the world above has been destroyed. She and the 3rd resident (John Gallagher Jr) struggle to cope with their new reality. First-time director Dan Trachtenberg knows how to manipulate the action with dynamic images (and snappy editing by Stefan Grube). He also provides plenty of ominous worry (with a slight mid-point slow-down). It’s completely compelling and has just enough twists to keep it captivating and occasionally frightening. NOTE: Listen carefully to her boyfriend’s voice on the cell phone. It’s somebody famous!
(4 / 5)