Today’s quick review: Identity. When a thunderstorm washes out a desert highway, ten strangers are forced to take refuge in a remote motel. Their miserable night takes a turn for the worse when one of the guests is brutally murdered. With a killer on the loose and no way to get help, the remaining guests rally under the leadership of a limo driver (John Cusack) and a police officer (Ray Liotta) to try to survive the night.
Identity is a suspense thriller that traps ten strangers at a motel with a killer intent on picking them off one by one. Identity offers a tense mystery, skilled acting, and a couple of good scares. The film balances the danger of the moment with ominous hints that something larger is going on. Though not the most cerebral thriller, Identity has a fruitful premise and plenty of twists and turns to keep the audience guessing.
Identity makes good on its premise thanks to its strong fundamentals. Everything from the acting to the pacing to the atmosphere works smoothly together, and the overall quality of the film is hard to fault. The end result is not flashy, but it does deliver what it promises. However, Identity does take risks in one or two places; the last leg of the movie will either seem brilliant or out of place depending on your personal taste.
Watch Identity when you’re in the mood for a tense, well-crafted thriller that doesn’t overstay its welcome. Identity has just what it takes to engage fans of horror and darker mysteries; those hoping for a lighter watch will want to steer clear. For a crime thriller with a similar premise, less horror, and a more elaborate plot, check out Bad Times at the El Royale. For a weaker John Cusack mystery set at a hotel, try The Bag Man.
7.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for solid craftsmanship and an effective mystery.