The Cloverfield Paradox(2018)
2018 · Julius Onah · 102 min
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.
Horror · Mystery · Science Fiction
5.63.7k votes
TMDB score
2/5
Intensity
2/5
Gore
2/5
Stays with you
How The Cloverfield Paradox scares
There's a constant low hum of wrongness here, like something is off with reality itself and nobody on screen can quite explain why. The pace is more confusing and unsettling than jumpy, with a few sudden bursts of body horror that come out of nowhere and catch you off guard. It leans more sci-fi mystery than pure horror, so the scares are strange and disorienting rather than constant. Good for people who like weird, trippy space stories with just a few nasty jolts mixed in, not for anyone wanting nonstop scares.
On The Horror Database's 0–5 scare profile, The Cloverfield Paradox rates psychological 3/5, visceral 3/5, gore 2/5, lingering effect 2/5, and overall intensity 2/5.
- Psychological: 3 of 5
- Visceral: 3 of 5
- Gore: 2 of 5
- Lingering: 2 of 5
- Intensity: 2 of 5
Slow burn vs Jump scares: 30 of 100 — leans Slow burn
Supernatural vs Real-world: 30 of 100 — leans Supernatural
Fun-scary vs Disturbing: 55 of 100 — balanced
Intensity over runtime
Shape only — no eventsReveal pacing shapeHide pacing shapeHidden by default — shows where the tension peaks and lets up.
Starts as a slow-building space mystery, then keeps hitting bursts of intense chaos with brief breathers before a heavy final stretch.
Intensity across the runtime, 0 to 100: 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 3, 4, 4, 5, 3.
How scary is The Cloverfield Paradox?
On The Horror Database's 0–5 intensity scale, The Cloverfield Paradox rates 2/5 — moderately scary, building its fear through slow-burn dread rather than shocks. It works on both fronts, unsettling the mind while going for the body. Expect it to be moderately gory and scary but not punishing. Some of it will follow you to bed, but it lets go within a day or so.
Watched it? Sign in to confirm whether this profile fits.
