Entertaining pulp

Rating: 7/10 (8 March 2014)

Perhaps the most scathing criticism against Identity is how it bears an uncanny resemblance to Nicolas Cage's bogus, deliberately silly script The Three in Spike Jonze's Adaptation. Contrived high-concept aside, this thriller is a good example of cinematic guilty pleasure.
Identity features tight performances by a strong cast (Cusack and Liotta are always reliable, but watch out for John Hawkes' stellar turn as a sleazy motel owner) and an enjoyable variation of the classic "And then there were none" formula for contained thrillers. Mangold is a fine visual director; both set pieces and quieter character moments are lean and intelligently crafted.
7/10