'Unknown' Film Analysis

'Unknown' is a psychological thriller film starring Liam Neeson who plays Dr Martin Harris, a scientist who travels to Berlin with his wife Liz for a conference involving biotechnology. While travelling to the Hotel by taxi from the airport in Berlin, Harris is in a car accident that results in the car plunging into the water. Harris is trapped in the car but it saved by the taxi driver. This results in Harris being in a coma for four days. Once woken up Harris is forgetful and has trouble remembering what happened. Harris losses all means of identity. When Harris locates his Wife he finds her with a different man who is called Dr Martin Harris. Harris believes he is an imposter and his wife Liz claims so does not know Harris. Harris continues to search for his identity but starts to question of he is Martin Harris or not.


Unknown is a film of suspense and action. This is portrayed throughout the film with different camera shots. A camera shot especially used to show confusion amongst Harris is the tilt shot. This is a shot used in the scene where Harris's wife claims she doesn't know him, her own Husband. This shot was used many times in the scene as well as closes ups to show confusion in Harris's mind. By using this shot type it exaggerates to the audience how confused Harris is. A feature also used in this scene is the focus depth of the camera. The camera is focused on Harris making the background completely blurry to show that Harris is confused at that time his mind is separated from the rest of the room. The direction and cinematographer have planned this scene carefully to ensure that the scene looks distorted to show the emotions of the characters.

A way the director creates suspense is using crescendos in the music the intensify the music to fit the scene to add suspense to the scene. In the scene where Harris is being followed in the subway, the music builds up or crescendos the music which intensifies the scene. In the subway scene the fastest Harris begins to run, the more the music crescendos which adds more suspense to the scene. This is done many times throughout the film to add the thriller feel to the film.

Overall 'Unknown' is a very good psychological thriller that incorporates many different well know and some not well known features to make a successful thriller film. By using different camera angles, lighting methods, music and face paced scene the director has created a successful thriller film that has the viewer on the edge of their seat.