Identity Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of strangers with the same birthday check into a motel that’s actually just one dude’s messed up brain, and then they start dying, which is like, a metaphor or something.

🍿 Identity: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Stranded at the Motel

A torrential rainstorm forces ten strangers to seek shelter at a desolate Nevada motel. Among them are a limo driver, a fading actress, a cop transporting a prisoner, a prostitute, a newlywed couple, and a family with a troubled son. The storm washes out the roads, cutting off all communication and trapping them together.

A Deadly Game Begins

As the night progresses, the guests begin to be murdered one by one. A motel room key is left with each body, counting down from room number 10. Panic and suspicion engulf the remaining survivors as they try to identify the killer among them. The ex-cop Ed and the police officer Rhodes take charge, attempting to piece together the clues.

The Courtroom Connection

Intercut with the motel murders is a courtroom drama involving Malcolm Rivers, a convicted serial killer on death row. His psychiatrist presents new evidence suggesting Rivers suffers from a severe case of dissociative identity disorder. The outcome of the trial hinges on proving Rivers’ insanity, raising questions about the connection between the two seemingly separate narratives.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ed (John Cusack): An ex-cop turned limo driver, Ed acts as a reluctant leader trying to solve the mystery at the motel.
• Rhodes (Ray Liotta): A police officer escorting a prisoner, Rhodes is aggressive and authoritative, adding to the tension among the stranded group.
• Paris (Amanda Peet): A prostitute with dreams of a better life, Paris reveals a surprising strength and resilience as the situation deteriorates.
• Malcolm Rivers (Pruitt Taylor Vince): A convicted murderer with dissociative identity disorder, Malcolm’s fate hangs in the balance as his multiple personalities clash.
• Dr. Malick (Alfred Molina): Malcolm’s psychiatrist, Dr. Malick attempts to prove his patient’s insanity to avoid the death penalty.
• Timmy York (Bret Loehr): The seemingly innocent young boy, Timmy, harbors a dark secret and manipulates events to deadly ends.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Malcolm Rivers: “As I was going up the stairs, I met a man who wasn’t there. He wasn’t there again today. I wish, I wish he’d go away.” – This poem is recited at the beginning and end, foreshadowing the themes of identity and the unreliability of perception.
• Rhodes: “We stick together, we survive.” – Rhodes, playing the authoritative figure, tries to impose order as the situation devolves.
• Timmy York: “As I was going up the stairs, I met a man who wasn’t there. He wasn’t there again today. I wish, I wish he’d go away.” – The killer Timmy quietly spoke these words before killing Paris. It shows he was the true source of evil and madness.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $28,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $52,159,536
• Worldwide Gross: $90,259,536

💥 Identity Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, ‘Identity’ messed with my head in the best way! I went in expecting a simple slasher flick, but what I got was a total mind-bender. The rain-soaked motel setting created this amazing claustrophobic atmosphere that really put me on edge. That twist ending? Totally didn’t see it coming! For days I was mulling over how the writer was able to pull all of the plot threads together into a cohesive finale.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological thrillers”
  • “Viewers who enjoy twist endings”
  • “Those interested in films exploring themes of identity and mental illness”
  • “Fans of John Cusack and Ray Liotta”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Disturbing images”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Themes of murder and mental illness”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Mangold crafts a genuinely tense and atmospheric thriller, even if the ultimate resolution feels somewhat contrived. Cusack delivers a reliably solid performance, grounding the increasingly surreal events in a relatable reality.
• New York Times: “While visually stylish, ‘Identity’ ultimately collapses under the weight of its own ambition. The twist ending, intended to be shocking, feels more like a cheat, negating much of what came before.
• RogerEbert.com: “A cleverly constructed thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end. The performances are strong across the board, and Mangold’s direction is masterful in building suspense.

Audience Reactions

The twist ending completely blew my mind!: Most viewers loved the unpredictable nature of the film and how it kept them guessing until the very end. The performances of John Cusack and Ray Liotta were also frequently praised.

The suspense was so intense, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.: Many appreciated the film’s ability to build tension and create a genuinely creepy atmosphere. The isolated motel setting contributed significantly to the overall sense of unease.

Overall Consensus: A suspenseful and twisty thriller that divides audiences with its audacious ending. While some find it clever and satisfying, others feel cheated by the rug-pulling conclusion.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The poem recited throughout the movie, ‘Antigonish,’ is actually a real poem by William Hughes Mearns. It adds to the film’s eerie and unsettling atmosphere.”
• “The filmmakers constructed a massive soundstage to create the realistic flooding and torrential rain effects, essential to the movie’s claustrophobic setting.”
• “Originally, the script was more straightforward slasher-style thriller, but director James Mangold pushed for a more complex psychological twist to differentiate it from others in the genre.”

🖥️ How to Watch Identity?

Identity is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu for rental or purchase. Check local listings for potential broadcast options. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Identity, you might like these similar films:

• Psycho (1960): Shares a similar isolated motel setting and explores themes of hidden identity and psychological horror.
• Fight Club (1999): Explores dissociative identity disorder and the unreliability of perception and reality.
• Secret Window (2004): This psychological thriller is about a writer who is accosted by a mysterious stranger claiming he stole his story.
• And Then There Were None (1945): A group of strangers are lured to an island and killed off one by one, similar to the premise of ‘Identity’.

🛒 Identity Related Products

• Identity (Blu-ray): Experience the twists and turns of ‘Identity’ in stunning high definition. The Blu-ray edition includes bonus features like behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and crew.
• Multiple Personality Disorder: Diagnostic Challenges: Gain a deeper understanding of dissociative identity disorder. This book provides valuable insights into the complexities of the human mind.
• Clue Board Game: Test your detective skills with this classic murder mystery game. Uncover clues, interrogate suspects, and solve the crime before anyone else.
• Stay Off The Main Roads Sign: Add a touch of the sinister to your decor with this sign, a reminder of the isolation from the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

Identity features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Alan Silvestri
• “Paris and Ed” – performed by Alan Silvestri
• “Win Music Season 19” – performed by Steve Kaplan

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Best Mystery Thriller You’ve Probably Forgotten

Dive into a captivating analysis of Identity, a film that will keep you guessing until the very end. This video explores the movie’s intricate plot, unforgettable characters, and surprising twists.

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