Some Theories About 10 Cloverfield Lane: Sequel, Prequel, Spin-Off, Or New Idea Altogether?

1) 10 Cloverfield Lane Takes Place In A Post-Nuclear World

This is the first reaction I tweeted immediately after watching the trailer, and I think the film’s tagline now backs it up:

Yes. The bombing run that originally kills Rob and Beth doesn’t take Clover down, and the government jumps into action in the form of a nuclear blast. Clover, and all its little minion spawns, are wiped out in the explosion, but the Tri-State area is turned into a nuclear wasteland that triggers a societal breakdown.

Goodman’s character already has a doomsday bunker dug out, and on his way back to it (assuming Gallagher’s character is related and with him already?), he picks up Winstead, and they all retreat while Hell comes to earth in the form of total chaos. Monsters come in many forms – especially people who are no longer being controlled by government oversight.

So scenario uno is a world after Clover, maybe where it destroyed more than NYC after the first bombing run fails, and instead of rebuilding, the East Coast is rocked by devastation. But in killing the beast, we’ve ultimately doomed ourselves by wiping out our own, leveling cities with nuclear blasts, and scorching the earth with radioactive residue. Those civilians still alive turn on the government, and colonize separately – an act that returns humanity to more primitive, brutal ways.

Maybe Winstead’s character also battles amnesia after the accident, and can’t even remember the actions that caused Goodman’s retreat underground? That would explain why she slowly starts to doubt, and wonders why she’s not allowed outside?

This is where I’m putting most my eggs. Nothing spooky. No zombies. No creatures. Just uninhibited anarchy.