From director James Mangold and writer Michael Cooney comes Identity, a movie that brilliantly blends the whodunit, psychological thriller, and mystery genres. The film boasts a stellar ensemble cast, including John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet, Alfred Molina, Clea DuVall, and Rebecca De Mornay.

The movie opens with a hearing on the eve of an execution. Dr. Malick (Alfred Molina), a psychiatrist, and an attorney are defending Malcolm Rivers (Pruitt Taylor Vince), a mentally disturbed individual believed to have murdered several people in an apartment building. Both men are doing their best to prove to the judge that Malcolm is criminally insane and should not be executed.

The plot abruptly shifts to a dark and violently stormy night, where what seems to be a series of coincidences forces ten people to seek shelter at a remote motel in Nevada. These include Ed Dakota (Cusack), Caroline (De Mornay), a former movie star, Officer Rhodes (Liotta), a police officer transporting a convict (Jake Busey), Paris, a prostitute, a young couple, Lou and Ginny, and George and Alice, another couple with their young son. Larry, the motel’s manager, is the only other person on the premises. Alice has been injured due to a mishap that occurred earlier.

After Larry assigns rooms to the unexpected guests, each of them meets their doom, murdered by an unseen assailant. As the plot moves further, it is revealed that the guests have a few commonalities. To say more would spoil your viewing experience. The plot shifts back and forth between the courtroom and the motel. How are the two situations connected?

This is revealed in the third act, where the viewer realizes that this movie is more than just a whodunit. The most brilliant part of the film is the final act, which delivers yet another shocking twist.

Identity, inspired by Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, goes beyond the typical whodunit, offering psychological thrills that make it one of the most intelligent thrillers in recent memory. Fine performances from each of the established actors add to its flair. The movie’s screenplay is innovative, its editing is slick and its direction is superb.

This is a must-see for all thriller buffs and offers a unique viewing experience. Don’t miss this hidden gem.