Conventional Characters in a Psychological Thriller – Ed Dakota and Other Characters

By Jodie-Leigh Barnham

The Use of Ed Dakota in Identity

In the psychological thriller, ‘Identity’ there are many main characters. Yet, the character who self-assumes the dominant leader position is ex-police officer turned limousine driver, Ed Dakota, played by John Cusack. Much like the protagonist in Shutter Island, Teddy Daniels, Dakota provides to be the almost omnipotent voice the rest of the characters through out the film by having the ability to link them all together and providing insight to the situation. This becomes suspicious to the rest of the cast, and the audience, because we start to question how the character we rely on to provide information knows how much he actually does.

The Use ofSamuel Rhodes in IdentityAs stated in the previous slide, another character who is extremely similar to Dakota is Rhodes. Rhodes does in fact have the same effect on the audience as Dakota, assuming the dominant protective leader role, yet, there is something slightly different about Rhodes. Although both characters as both open to leading situations, Dakota has a calmer presence whereas Rhodes can be very extreme, quick to jump to conclusions and even violent. His jumpy nature alludes to the audience that there is something different about this ‘officer’. This is slowly revealed to the audience, again to leave for them to piece together the secrets of Rhodes and give them some form of involvement and interest.

The Use of Ed Dakota in IdentityAs stated on the previous slide, Dakota is used to give ideas to a lot of what is happening in the film. Because of him being an ex-police officer we as an audience, and the rest of the cast, justify his authoritative role and his involvement the plot. The involvement of his character makes you feel safe as, even though he isn’t in that profession anymore, that authoritative role creates a barrier of safety because you rely on this character to resolve every situation that occurs. Yet, as more secrets are revealed about each character in the film you realise that the people you trusted aren’t everything you thought they were. Especially other authoritative figures such as Ray Liotta’s character Samuel Rhodes that poses as a police officer and turns out to actually be a convicted escaped criminal.This film completely messes with the typical roles that you usually rely on to insert those safety barriers.

The Use of Timothy "Timmy" York in Identity

The character of Timmy is practically overlooked through the entire film. This stems from the stereotypical innocence that we expect from children. As an audience member we, either subconsciously or not, feel that he should be protected from the murders that occur as it is expected he is too young and completely incapable of the horrors that happen through out the film. If you think logically about the plot and Timmy’s whereabouts it all adds up. He is always locked away on his own and is never actually spoken for at the time of the murders. Timmy being involved doesn’t become apparent because, as previously stated, our mind would logically stray from a child being a murder as it isn’t expected. We would believe that a child so young would have no motive for such horrid acts. This can yes be shocking but also intriguing as because these acts are so shocking from a child, we want to know why and so proceed to watch.To have Timmy as the killer, again, completely messes with the typical roles that you usually rely on or rule our to insert those safety barriers.

The Overall Effect of Dakota, Rhodes and York in IdentityDakota and Rhodes are definitely useful in Identity. Their is a key element in the film is that it certainly solidifies the film into the psychological thriller genre.The development in the truth about characters like Dakota and Rhodes mess with the audiences comfort and trust. By twisting a role that we stereotypically expect to be trusted and relied on by making it untrustworthy plays with an audiences comfort zone. This fits the expectations of the genre as a psychological thriller plays on the fears and sensitivities of the audience. The human mind tends to feel the need to protect certain stereotypical characters, it is human nature. These are characters such as the elderly or children. As Dakota and Rhodes’ characters are already presumed protective roles, we expect them to protect, particularly, the child involved in Identity (shown right). Yet when the film ends and we actually find out the truth about each character, why they’re all connected and the real killer, it warps our already tainted ideals massively.