Identity

A group of strangers get stranded at a hotel during a storm when people start dying in terrible ways. But when the prime suspect is found murdered as well, the group struggles to survive the storm… and the night.

“As I was walking down 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 above rhyme has stuck with me for many years, a line from one of the characters in Identity. It’s mumbled by a man looking to calm his nerves as shit starts going sideways around him.

You might need to mumble it to yourself as you are watching this movie. Because it is a trip from start to finish. 

I learned about this movie when it first came out in 2003, as it seemed like a great thriller starring my boy John Cusack and the great Ray Liotta. It seemed right up my alley based off what I was hearing.

A group of randos get trapped in a motel during a flood: a sleazy hotel owner, an ex-cop, a dancer, an officer transporting a killer, and a couple other characters. As they hole up, people start getting murked tf up, and it becomes a real whodunnit of an adventure. 

The movie did a great job of leading up to a great plot twist. The story involves two separate story lines being told simultaneously, both involving some crazy shit. The characters are well developed and the movie does a great job with flashback sequences to give more information- without killing it. Some of the character actions can be a little cheesy, but it’s far from being too much in my opinion. The end is good, but could have been improved upon a bit in my opinion.

Rating: I give the movie 9 hotel keys out of 10. The storyline is fun, some great actors, and tons of unexpected turns and thrills. 

If you are looking for a movie that is similar, check out Split. James McAvoy stars as a person with multiple personalities, one of which has been kidnapping and murdering girls. As they authorities search to find him, viewers are left to wonder if this is all really in his head, or if there is more to these personalities than we see. You can also check out Secret Window, starring Johnny Depp. An author working on his new book is harassed by a man who swears he stole his story. When the man refuses to leave him alone, the author is left to face him and deal with the consequences- and they are definitely unexpected.

For a book, check out I am the Cheese by Robert Cormier. A boy travels to visit his father on bike in a near by town, while readers learn (via tape transcripts) that the boy’s family is part of a witness protection program. You can also check out The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain. A drifter picks up work in a small diner and falls in love with the owner’s wife, soon starting an affair. As they plan to kill the owner, things go sideways and the lustful couple turn against each other in order to survive. 

Until next time…

-M