As psychological thrillers go, 10 Cloverfield Lane is a must-see. Well-paced and captivating, the engaging script is matched by a first-rate cast.

For a marketing campaign that started out relatively small, the hype for 10 Cloverfield Lane grew quickly (much like that of its semi-prequel, Cloverfield). Opening on March 11, the film made $24.7 million in its first weekend.

The plot of the movie begins with Michelle, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, waking up in an underground bunker following a car crash. She meets Howard (John Goodman), a friendly, yet inexplicably unsettling, “doomsday prepper,” who says he “rescued” her from not only the crash, but a catastrophic event that has laid waste to the world outside the bunker.

Michelle then meets Emmett, a young man who not only helped Howard construct his bunker but also claims he fought his way into the bunker following the “catastrophe.” Emmett’s earnest manner and openness eases Michelle’s skepticism of Howard and their situation, but the plot thickens as more secrets and more questions come to light.

The cast of three provides for a riveting character study in contrast and conflict. Goodman is outstanding as the charismatic, moody Howard, shifting effortlessly from heroic savior to disturbed captor and back again. John Gallagher, Jr. as Emmett is the perfect complement, a straight-forward and reassuring presence compared to the tension brought by Howard. Gallagher provides most of the much-needed comic relief, and, surprisingly, anchors one of the most serious scenes in the movie with just as much skill.

But Winstead shines as the film’s lead. Likable and ingenious, she transforms the well-written Michelle into a real and determined protagonist. For the length of the almost two-hour movie, she is carefully weighing her options, searching for answers to unsaid questions, and fighting against threats, real and imaginary, inside the bunker and out.

The setting, Howard’s well-equipped underground bunker, emphasizes the feelings of claustrophobia and unease building in the trio. This atmosphere is deepened greatly by the score, composed by Bear McCreary (who has composed music for shows such as Outlander and The Walking Dead). In addition to the writing and music, the pace of the film is an intense mix of action and uneasy calm. A scene of quiet dialogue could change in a moment to a fast-paced burst of activity, no easy feat in a setting that consists of a few rooms in a tight underground bunker.

“There were so many plot twists,” said senior Kaycee Oland. “I never expected half the things that happened.”

Through excellent writing, an outstanding cast, and an incredibly captivating story line, 10 Cloverfield Lane is a psychological, doomsday thriller that is sure to become a classic.