Stars: 2.5/5

Plot twist. Plot twist. Plot twist.

The third “Cloverfield” movie, “The Cloverfield Paradox,” feels like one big plot twist. The movie touches down in the middle of an energy crisis and leaves you to play catch-up for the rest of the movie. Once you start to understand what’s happening, something else is thrown at you that leaves your mind reeling. A movie that requires thought is always welcome, but when you’re not given all of the information needed to understand the situation playing out, everything good about the movie is overshadowed by the confusion.

At the beginning of the Netflix film, information about the state of the Earth is dumped on you full force. In explaining a years-worth crises in the opening of the movie, the movie creators require the audience to be an active participant in the mental story development. Actors Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Elizabeth Debicki, Daniel Brühl and Chris O’Dowd are just a few of the actors that played the space crew attention to find an infinite source of energy to secure the survival of all those who inhabit the Earth. The film starts on Earth, travels through space and then through another dimension.

The individual aspects of the movie were all incredible by itself. The effects are clear and skillfully done and the acting was emotionally accurate as well. The problems arose when these great components were put together to execute the story. At some points, you’re not even sure whether something is supposed to be funny or scary.

When big-name producer J.J. Abrams is attached to any movie, people are attracted to it and this film was no exception. The film advertised its release during the Super Bowl and released right after, bringing in viewers straight from the game. The anticipation that came with the sudden film release was in no way satisfied. The thrill that was advertised stemmed more from confusion. Every situation that was thrown out caught you off guard because you never really knew what was going on.

The one trailer that was released made the film seem to be a thriller when it is actually a fantasy/mystery. That is the main reason why the film did not really hit home. If you go into the movie expecting more of a thoughtful movie experience, you will get more out of it. What would have really saved this movie is a better advertising technique. The surprise release was great because it drew in an audience but the trailer could have been better executed. If the trailer had made the movie seem like a mystery rather than a drama, there would not been as much confusion and the movie experience would have been more enjoyable.

Overall, the movie was confusingly put together. While the plot was sound, the execution was hazy. It’ll definitely keep your attention, but to answer whether it deserves to have your attention is still up for grabs. With an ending that offers anything but closure, you’ll be left wondering if you really understood anything that happened in the movie.