🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
- Genre: Action, Mystery, Thriller
- Release year: 2011
- Runtime (length): 1h 53min
- IMDb rating: 6.8/10 (272K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 56%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Liam Neeson forgets his briefcase, wakes up as someone else, and spends two hours angrily asking people if they know who *he* is… then remembers he’s the bad guy; whoops!
🍿 Unknown: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Arrival in Berlin and the Accident
Dr. Martin Harris and his wife Elizabeth arrive in Berlin for a biotechnology conference. While checking in, Martin realizes he’s left his briefcase at the airport and takes a taxi to retrieve it. During the trip, a sudden accident plunges the taxi into the river, leaving Martin with amnesia and separated from Elizabeth.

Identity Crisis
Upon awakening in a hospital, Martin discovers his identity has been stolen. When he seeks out Elizabeth, she claims not to know him, and another man is posing as Dr. Martin Harris. Desperate to prove his identity, Martin finds himself alone and hunted, struggling to piece together fragments of his memory.

Seeking Help and Unraveling the Conspiracy
Martin enlists the help of Gina, the taxi driver who saved him from the accident, and Ernst Jürgen, a former Stasi agent, to uncover the truth. They navigate a web of deceit, encountering assassins and uncovering a dangerous conspiracy linked to the biotechnology conference and a revolutionary agricultural breakthrough.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Dr. Martin Harris (Liam Neeson): A biochemist who awakens from a coma to find his identity stolen and must uncover the truth about his past.
- Gina (Diane Kruger): A resourceful taxi driver and illegal immigrant who reluctantly helps Dr. Harris reclaim his identity.
- Elizabeth Harris (January Jones): Dr. Harris’s wife, who claims not to recognize him and is part of a larger conspiracy.
- Martin B (Aidan Quinn): The imposter who has assumed Dr. Harris’s identity and works against the real Dr. Harris.
- Ernst Jürgen (Bruno Ganz): A former Stasi agent who aids Dr. Harris in uncovering the conspiracy.
- Rodney Cole (Frank Langella): Dr. Harris’s colleague who is revealed to be a government assassin and the mastermind behind the identity theft.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Dr. Martin Harris: “Do you know what it feels like to become insane, doctor? It’s like a war between being told who you are and knowing who you are. Which do you think wins?” – Dr. Martin Harris expresses his frustration and struggle to maintain his sanity amidst the identity theft.
- Ernst Jürgen: “In my day, we were taught that an innocent man always stuck to his version of truth while a liar reformulated his ideas.” – Ernst Jürgen describes how Stasi agents identified liars, ironically, it was the opposite.
- Dr. Martin Harris: “I remember how to kill you.” – Threatening dialogue from the protagonist. Said with determination when remembering his dark past.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $30,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $63,686,397
- Worldwide Gross: $135,710,029
💥 Unknown Reviews
Personal Review
I remember watching this movie when it first came out, and the twist *really* got me. Liam Neeson is so good at playing these intense, ‘wronged man’ characters, even when he turns out to be the ‘wrong’ one himself, and it has some exciting action sequences, especially the car chase through Berlin! It’s one of those movies I can always rewatch and enjoy.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Liam Neeson action thrillers”
- “Viewers who enjoy suspenseful mystery plots”
- “Those interested in movies with identity theft themes”
- “Audiences who like European settings and conspiracies”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Brief strong language”
- “Some thematic elements”
Professional Reviews
- The Hollywood Reporter: “”Unknown” delivers a satisfying blend of action and mystery, elevated by Neeson’s commanding presence. While the plot occasionally strains credibility, the film’s relentless pace and twists keep viewers engaged.
- Roger Ebert.com: “Ebert felt the film, while competent, suffered from too many coincidences, but praised the performances, particularly Bruno Ganz, noting, “You’ll never find yourself looking at your watch.”
- Variety: “Neeson is excellent as a man in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. A stylish and twisty thriller for action and mystery fans that successfully evokes a sense of paranoia.
Audience Reactions
The twist ending was genuinely surprising and well-executed, leaving many viewers shocked.: Audiences appreciated the suspenseful plot, Liam Neeson’s performance, and the unpredictable nature of the story.
Berlin backdrop heightened suspense with its cold war, noir-esque setting, creating an atmospheric thriller experience.: The film’s setting in Berlin was praised for adding a sense of intrigue and mystery to the story.
Overall Consensus: “Unknown” is a decent thriller with a memorable twist and solid performances, especially by Liam Neeson, but some found the plot convoluted and not entirely believable.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Filming in Berlin proved very difficult as the city was undergoing its coldest winter in 20 years at the time.”
- “The opening credits are shown as clouds being viewed from an airplane blow past, making one of the credits unreadable.”
🖥️ How to Watch Unknown?
Unknown is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Unknown, you might like these similar films:
- The Bourne Identity (2002): Features a protagonist with amnesia and a mysterious past who discovers he is a highly trained assassin.
- Frantic (1988): An American doctor loses his wife in Paris and must navigate a foreign city to find her, uncovering a conspiracy.
- Taken (2008): Liam Neeson as a skilled operative using his particular set of skills to rescue someone.
- The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996): A woman with amnesia discovers she was once a trained assassin, and must use her skills to survive.
🛒 Unknown Related Products
- Berlin Travel Guide: Explore the movie’s setting with a comprehensive travel guide to Berlin, filled with insider tips, maps, and historical insights. See the locations where the film was shot.
- Taken (Blu-ray): Another action packed Liam Neeson movie with similar themes. Experience the thrill of this action-packed thriller on Blu-ray, featuring stunning visuals and immersive sound.
- Bourne Identity (Blu-Ray): Another action packed movie with themes of identity, amnesia and action sequences.
- Espionage Playing Cards: A deck of cards featuring spy craft, codes, and historical figures in espionage. Add fun to social gatherings.
🎧 Soundtrack
Unknown features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
No, ‘Unknown’ is not related to ‘Taken’. Although both movies star Liam Neeson and involve action and suspense, they have entirely different plots and characters.
The genetically modified drought-resistant corn represents a solution to global food shortages. Its release is a symbol of hope and progress, contrasting with the destructive conspiracy that sought to exploit it.
Elizabeth was deeply involved. She worked with Martin to plant a bomb and frame Prince Shada.
🔥 Bonus Content
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Prepare to be enthralled as Zoya Sheikh takes you on a mind-bending journey, dissecting the movie’s hidden meanings and leaving you questioning reality itself. Don’t miss this captivating analysis!
FROZEN WITH ZERO BUDGET! (INTO THE UNKNOWN, LET IT GO, & MORE BEST OF COMPILATION BY LANKYBOX)
Get ready for a side-splitting adventure as LankyBox transforms the movie’s iconic songs into a laugh-out-loud parody. Their clever lyrics and spot-on delivery will leave you in stitches!
Mashup 111 feat auroralights493 (TT) 🗣️ 🎥: unknown x3 / @ohcharliecat / unknown #shorts
Immerse yourself in a mesmerizing musical experience as Dusty Douglas blends the movie’s themes with captivating visuals. This stunning mashup will leave you in awe of the creative possibilities that exist beyond the screen.
✨ Rate
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