If the task of making a movie in absolute secrecy seems almost impossible, imagine trying to review said film without ruining the many cinematic pleasures and surprises that lie ahead for those who buy a ticket for 10 Cloverfield Lane. So here's what you need to know, the less you find out about Bad Robot's new production and director Dan Trachtenberg's impressive first film, the more you will enjoy it.

The other thing that needs to be perfectly clear is that the movie is probably the best thriller you will see all year. Under the heavy influence of Alfred Hitchcock (or is it early Brian DePalma?) Trachtenberg has crafted an edge of your seat nail biter that spins a surprising companion piece to the first Cloverfield's end of the world scenario. The connections between this film and that one are not explicit, but trying to do so is essential to the plot and to the mind games that the main character is subjected to.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead (who survived the The Thing prequel with her dignity intact and was the definition of cool in Scott Pilgrim vs The World) plays a young woman who impulsively tries to leave behind a life of romantic turmoil. But before she can face the consequences of her decisions a car accident sidetracks her plans to escape. When she comes to, she finds herself in a scenario straight out of a Saw sequel.

Fortunately what follows is a perfectly crafted cat and mouse game where her captor/savior (played to perfection by the always excellent John Goodman) spins an end of the world scenario where his fall out shelter is the only place they can survive the attacks that, according to him, have taken out all major cities. Is he telling the truth? Are the attacks related to what we saw in the first film? Or is it an elaborate hoax to keep her trapped?

After the killer first act and a couple of good twists the movie goes into a slow burn that allows the cast to shine and for the payoff to be even more satisfying. The movie belongs to Goodman who delivers moments that are simultaneously hilarious and terrifying but it is Winstead who walks away with the best character. Her heroine is a not so distant cousin to Sigourney Weaver's Ripley (or maybe she's just a female MacGyver) who relies on her intelligence to survive but transcends the archetype through her surprising vulnerability. Her fate is something that can not be discussed in this review, but the one thing that can be revealed is that after Tractenberg's solid effort the possibility of more films with "Cloverfield" in the title is extremely exciting.

10 Cloverfield Lane is coming to theatres March 11th.