REVIEW: Shadow in the Cloud Gets Lost in the Clouds

Shadow in the Cloud is not quite sure what it wants to be and that proves to be a major problem for the film. It is described as a horror film, but the horror element doesn’t make a lick of sense. It also is described as an action film, but the action feels forced. It also has a romance element to it that comes out of left field and makes no sense at all. Rather than focusing on one element, Director Roseanne Liang, throws together too many creating a film filled with too many head shaking moments and not enough hiding behind your hands moments.

The film is set during World War II and follows Flight Officer Maude Garrett (Chloe Grace Moretz) who has been commissioned to transfer top secret government documents on a B-17 bomber filled with an all-male crew. Met with push back from the crew for being a female, Garrett must convince the men to trust her or her mission could be compromised. But when holes in her backstory come to light, Garrett and the men must find a way to work together to prevent an incoming ambush and stop a mysterious presence from destroying their plane.

Moretz does well bringing to life Flight Officer Garrett, but even her performance could not save this film. The story just made no sense. I think if Liang had focused on Garrett being a woman flight officer aboard an all-male bomber during WWII rather than adding in all the other elements, the film would have made more sense. I would have probably found it more entertaining. But she chose to add a horror element to it, that didn’t feel horrifying at all, and then a romance element that, as I said before, made no sense. Nick Robinson also stars in the film as flight crew member, Stu Beckell, but does not make much of an impact. This has nothing to do with his performance, but everything to do with the fact that his character was really just a plot piece.

Shadow in the Cloud is a film that sounds great on the surface, but is poorly executed. If you are looking for a film to end your 2020 on a high note, I recommend not seeing this one. If you are looking for a horror film to watch or a WWII film to watch, go watch one of your favorites. This one is not worth watching unless you happen upon it on TV and have nothing else to watch.

Grade: D