10 Cloverfield Lane Should Have Started a New Trend With Movie Trailers

10 Cloverfield Lane Should Have Started a New Trend With Movie Trailers

As a seasoned movie buff who’s witnessed the rise and fall of many marketing strategies over the years, I can confidently say that the approach taken for 10 Cloverfield Lane is nothing short of genius. The trailer alone, with its haunting silence and eerie tension, is a masterclass in intrigue. It manages to convey the movie’s atmosphere without spoiling any plot points, a rare feat nowadays when trailers often give away too much.


Lately, grievances about movie trailers are increasing, but not long ago, the film “10 Cloverfield Lane” set an ideal marketing standard. Unlike many contemporary movies, it only had one trailer that effectively conveyed the film’s mood without revealing crucial plot points, and it was released two months prior to the actual movie. Here’s what film studios should take away from “10 Cloverfield Lane”.

Regardless if you’ve watched the movie “10 Cloverfield Lane” or not, its eight-year-old trailer remains compelling to this day. The dialogue is scarce, with the 1967 track “I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tommy James and the Shondells providing the backdrop. The video portrays three individuals enjoying their time together – playing games, reading, dancing, and cooking – while hinting at the peculiar surroundings subtly. These surroundings turn out to be part of a doomsday shelter, and about 40 seconds in, we catch a glimpse of a gun on one character’s belt.

The trailer provides glimpses of the scene and action, but maintains an air of mystery that leaves viewers eager to learn the storyline. Moreover, the brief dialogues at the end serve to intrigue anyone further. As Michelle (portrayed by Mary Elizabeth Winstead) rushes to escape, Howard (played by John Goodman) shouts: “No! Stop! You’re putting us all in danger!” What Michelle encounters outside the shelter causes her to halt, and in a calmer voice, Howard warns: “There’s something approaching.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but admire the ingenious approach taken by Bad Robot with the marketing strategy for “10 Cloverfield Lane.” The trailer was masterfully crafted to highlight the film’s compelling aspects without revealing its plot twists. It premiered unexpectedly in January 2016, leaving first-time viewers guessing until the closing title card revealed it as a sequel to “Cloverfield.

To put it simply, the significant events took place just two months after the film’s debut. Nowadays, people often criticize trailers for revealing too much, being released prematurely, and being excessively long. In 2016, the movie 10 Cloverfield Lane stood out by bucking this trend. As Benjamin Lee from The Guardian noted: “The success of 10 Cloverfield Lane has sparked a lot of conversation, but it’s unlikely to start a new wave. Movies that reveal their plot early and completely are still making good money, and not all genres need the same level of mystery as thrillers do. However, it does solidify his position as an exceptional industry player: one who can create and sell equally well.

10 Cloverfield Lane is streaming now on Prime Video. Cloverfield is available on Paramount+.

Read More

2024-11-06 02:10