Identity
2003 · Directed by James Mangold
Original language: English
- mystery
- thriller
The story
Complete strangers stranded at a remote desert motel during a raging storm soon find themselves the target of a deranged murderer. As their numbers thin out, the travelers begin to turn on each other, as each tries to figure out who the killer is.
What it’s like
Rain-lashed and claustrophobic, with the film's most striking images built from murky greens, cold blues and the sickly orange of motel signage bleeding through wet windows. Director James Mangold works in tight, restless framing, the camera pressing into small rooms, sweeping across the flooded Nevada highway, and cutting quickly when the storm gusts through the walls. The sound design is dominated by drumming rain, thunder and a sparse, ominous score that drops out at the moments of greatest panic. Its vibe is tense, damp and paranoid, a mystery that feels like a locked-room puzzle played out in a motel corridor. It suits a stormy night alone, or a slow-burn watch when you want suspense rather than comfort. Violence is frequent and sudden, with several brutal killings, some gore and a harsh, often crude mood; the sexual content is minimal, but the cruelty and fear land hard. Expect a twisty, escalating pace and characters who are morally compromised, including a hardened ex-cop, a sardonic writer and a volatile prisoner. It is for viewers who enjoy whodunit suspense with a dark, grimy edge and a sharp twist.
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