James Mangold’s Slasher Film Perfect for Agatha Christie Fans

A Unique Take on a Classic Mystery

James Mangold’s 2003 film "Identity" offers a fresh and entertaining take on Agatha Christie’s 1939 novel "And Then There Were None." In the original story, eight individuals are lured to an isolated island by a mysterious couple named Mr. and Mrs. Owen. They are joined by a butler and a housekeeper, who play a recorded message accusing all of them of past murders. When one guest dies from poison, it sets off a chain of events where each character is killed one by one, leaving the remaining guests to figure out who among them is the murderer. It’s one of the most iconic murder mysteries in literature, though it’s best to refer to it by its current title, as the original titles were problematic and rooted in offensive language.

In "Identity," the setting is transformed into a remote, rainy motel. The phone lines are down, and there’s no one around for miles. Ten strangers from different backgrounds arrive at the same time, each played by a well-known actor. The protagonist, Ed (John Cusack), is a limo driver and former cop who finds himself in the middle of a murder mystery. His passenger is a snippy movie star played by Rebecca DeMornay. Jake Busey plays a dangerous murderer being transported to prison by Ray Liotta. Clea DuVall portrays one of two newlyweds, while Amanda Peet plays an itinerant sex worker. John Hawkes stars as the motel manager, and other characters include DuVall’s husband (William Lee Scott), another couple (John C. McGinley, Leila Kenzle), and their young son (Bret Loehr).

Secrets That Run Deep

The inciting incident in "Identity" is a shocking murder that suggests this isn’t just an accident or a crime of passion. The Rebecca DeMornay character is decapitated, and her head is placed in a clothes dryer. Naturally, with the motel so remote, someone there must be responsible. And, naturally, the killer isn’t done — more characters are murdered one by one, not necessarily in the order of their billing. The question remains: who is the killer?

Curiously, the film frequently cuts back to a distant trial involving a serial killer played by Pruitt Taylor Vince. This character is being interrogated by a lawyer portrayed by Alfred Molina. It takes more than halfway through the film for the connection between these characters and the main mystery to become clear. Without giving away any details, the film features a significant plot twist about the identity of the motel killer that dramatically changes the course of the action. Screenwriter Michael Cooney and director James Mangold deserve credit for maintaining high tension and drama even after this revelation. The mystery still needs to be solved, and there’s still a lot at stake.

A Modest Hit with a Lasting Legacy

The film’s greatest strength is its tight runtime of 90 minutes. It manages to pack a lot into a short time, ensuring that each actor gets the right amount of screen time, even if they are killed early on. The tone is beautifully dreary, evoking the somber mystery of an episode of "The X-Files," which had recently ended.

Critics gave "Identity" a mixed reception, with a 63% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 171 reviews. While many appreciated the twists, some found the central revelation to be somewhat contrived. Roger Ebert noted that the film didn’t really pick up until the end, which was unusual for him. He praised the new perspectives offered in the climax, which he hadn’t seen before. Audiences, however, embraced the film, leading to a respectable $90 million at the box office against a mid-tier budget of $28 million. The movie also found a second life on cable TV and home video, allowing it to reach a wider audience. Ask anyone who was a teenager between 2003 and 2005, and they might recall seeing "Identity" by accident and remembering it as a surprisingly good film.

Director’s Perspective and Cultural Impact

In a 2023 interview with Cinephilia Beyond, James Mangold expressed his continued pride in the film. He credited the premise for allowing him to experiment with style. He also mentioned that the film was jokingly referenced in Charlie Kaufman’s "Adaptation," which came out a few months earlier. Despite this reference, the two films are unrelated.

If you’re looking for an easy way to stay updated on major movie and TV news, consider signing up for a free newsletter. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google.