1. Conventional
Characters in a
Psychological Thriller –
Ed Dakota and Other Characters
By Jodie-Leigh Barnham

2. 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.

3. The Use of
Samuel Rhodes in Identity
As 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.

4. The Use of
Ed Dakota in Identity
As 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.

5. 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.

6. The Overall
Effect of Dakota,
Rhodes and York in Identity
Dakota 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.