The Cloverfield Paradox
Performance & Direction: The Cloverfield Paradox Review
Last updated: February 1, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Cloverfield Paradox (2018) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Cloverfield Paradox features a noteworthy lineup led by Gugu Mbatha-Raw . Supported by the likes of Daniel Brühl and Chris O'Dowd , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Cloverfield Paradox
Quick Plot Summary: The Cloverfield Paradox is a Horror, Thriller, Science Fiction film that crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The horror unfolds through carefully crafted atmosphere and escalating dread. Orbiting above a planet on the brink of war, scientists test a device to solve an energy crisis and end up face-to-face with a dark alternate reality. The film uses both psychological terror and visceral scares, building tension through what's unseen as much as what's shown. The pacing allows for breathing room between scares, making each frightening moment more effective.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: An unsettling prologue sets the ominous tone, hinting at the terror to come while establishing the rules of this world.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The final act escalates the terror to its peak, forcing characters to confront the source of horror directly.
Ending Explained: The Cloverfield Paradox
Ending Breakdown: The Cloverfield Paradox attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to horror resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the horror themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Cloverfield Paradox reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Cloverfield Paradox?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Horror films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Cloverfield Paradox
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $45.0M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Cloverfield Paradox Budget
The estimated production budget for The Cloverfield Paradox is $45.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Cloverfield Paradox
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Where to Watch The Cloverfield Paradox Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
NetflixThe Cloverfield Paradox Parents Guide & Age Rating
2018 AdvisoryWondering about The Cloverfield Paradox age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Cloverfield Paradox is 102 minutes (1h 42m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.6/10, and global performance metrics, The Cloverfield Paradox is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2018 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Cloverfield Paradox worth watching?
The Cloverfield Paradox is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 5.6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Cloverfield Paradox parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Cloverfield Paradox identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Cloverfield Paradox?
The total duration of The Cloverfield Paradox is 102 minutes, which is approximately 1h 42m long.
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How The Cloverfield Paradox Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Cloverfield Paradox
Putting Roy on a space station might sound like a bad idea, but making this movie was even worse. The Cloverfield Paradox is a rushed copy/paste job with not enough time to glue the events together. A bit of Alien here, a splash of The Philadelphia Experiment there and a handful of other classic sci-fi flicks sprinkled on top. Oh, that bit in Evil Dead was funny, lets have some of that too! Wrap it up with a title that attracts the horror people too and it is time to cash in the mockbuster it is. Netflix. Don't go down this road. Let it end here.
It's fine sci-fi schlock. There's a likable cast, a few tense body horror moments, and an interesting idea with a disembodied arm. The mostly generic hodge podge of a script doesn't live up to the potential of the rest of the elements. However, the most glaring flaw is the B-plot, Earth scenes added thanks to test audiences, which doesn't have any bearing on the principal story that happens in space. Thanks, test audiences.
Like Prometheus in 2012, this was a serious disappointment. The characters' decisions are bizarre, motivations are unexplained. The science is bogus. The horror elements are not horrifying. The whole thing lacks style, originality, humour or any kind of spark. The movie fails to establish any meaningful personality for the crew members, so the only question becomes which one will die next. OK, there's one potentially interesting idea: have each character speak in their own national language (except the Brazilian guy: not sure why he doesn't get to?!) but the movie fails to take it anywhere. Similar but much better films include: Europa Report, Event Horizon, Solaris (original and remake), Cargo, 2010.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
