Unknown

Name: Unknown
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Crime
Released: November 3, 2006
Duration: 85 min
Rating: 44

2006

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 95 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 95 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

IFC First Take | Release Date: November 3, 2006 | Not Rated

Summary: Unknown unfolds in the style of "Memento," a story told in reverse with an unforeseeable ending. Five men wake up trapped in a chemical warehouse with no memory of who they are or how they got there. They are forced to try to figure out who is good and evil before it's too late. (The Weinstein Co.)

Director: Simon Brand

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Crime

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 85 min

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Critic Reviews

Ann Hornaday

Music video director Simon Brand makes an impressively taut debut with Unknown, a nifty little psychological crime thriller that suggests a "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" for the postindustrial age. Read full review

Ronnie Scheib

Brand has assembled a cast of world class improvisers, yet doesn't take advantage of their own particularized, inflected rhythms, as each ritualistically experiences a jump-cut fragmentary flashback in front of the same bathroom mirror. Read full review

Ty Burr

Unknown is punchy and entertaining. Maybe not the sort of thing you'd want to spend $10 plus a mortgage for popcorn on, but a nifty surprise on DVD several months from now -- or on pay-cable on-demand right now. Read full review

Ruthe Stein

Despite a clever script and top-notch cast, whose commitment to doing service in the indie branch of the industry is commendable, Unknown falls apart just when it should be coming together. Read full review

Jack Mathews

It all comes together at the end, logically and with a twist. But it's not a game that allows the audience to play along. When the story is controlled by whatever memories the writer and director choose to put in the characters' heads, you're always on the outside looking in. Read full review

Jean Oppenheimer

The pacing is slightly off, with the action switching between the imprisoned men and the police who are trying to find them, and what should be a mounting sense of urgency inside the warehouse (think Reservoir Dogs) falters and goes slack. Read full review

J.R. Jones

Feeble exercise in brain-teaser noir. Read full review

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User Reviews

AnnieE.

Nov 13, 2006

I loved it. Witty and exciting. Great script, great twists.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

Tss5078

Feb 24, 2013

This movie was really cool, not only because of it's terrific cast, but also for the way the story is done. At many points this film seems familiar, mainly because it has similar pieces to similar movies all put together into one original story. A group of people wake up locked in aThis movie was really cool, not only because of it's terrific cast, but also for the way the story is done. At many points this film seems familiar, mainly because it has similar pieces to similar movies all put together into one original story. A group of people wake up locked in a warehouse with no memory of who they are or how they got there. Only one thing becomes immediately clear, if they don't discover the truth and how to escape, they'll all be dead soon. Its not the strongest story or ending, but the way this film was done was just pure genius. Defiantly worth seeing!… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

eva3si0n

Jun 4, 2023

Unknown is a great chamber thriller with 5 main characters. A confusing plot that is revealed with the help of flashbacks. 5 main characters who do not remember anything and it is absolutely not clear who is among them. And if the first 30 minutes the plot develops extremely slowly, then theUnknown is a great chamber thriller with 5 main characters. A confusing plot that is revealed with the help of flashbacks. 5 main characters who do not remember anything and it is absolutely not clear who is among them. And if the first 30 minutes the plot develops extremely slowly, then the events begin to develop much faster and another story appears in parallel. The main plot twist is who is the criminal and who is the victim manages to save more than half of the film. And only by flashbacks will it be clear who the victims are. Yes, the film was shot for a penny, there is no star cast here, except for Peter Stormare. But this does not prevent Unknown from being spectacular, and the open final with another accomplice leaves a pleasant impression.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

imthenoob

Sep 22, 2013

Solid acting by the cast and interesting story. The side plot involving the cops really takes away from the main plot and was sort of unneeded. The twist ending certainly helped end the film on a high note. Overall, It was actually quite good and I'd recommend watching.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

drone41

Feb 9, 2018

Love movies like this, but it was so expected for me. Can't say it was interesting and have point in the end, but nothing so special.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

cesargm

Jan 7, 2011

Not great, but really not bad. Cool concept and good cast, but lacked something... Can't quite place what.

Maybe it would be better if it kept to the 'one-room film' formula. The scenes on the outside with the cops were distracting and not really necessary for the plot...

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

TheDude-

Jun 21, 2015

this movie could have been really awesome but from the beginning you get taken out of immersion because of all the illogical events and dumb character decisions.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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