In their first feature film, Unknown (which opened at the E Street Cinema on Friday), director Simon Brand and screenwriter Matthew Waynee demonstrate that they have absorbed the lessons of thrillers like Reservoir Dogs, True Romance, Memento, Pi, Sixth Sense, and The Usual Suspects. That is, a thriller’s thrill comes from delaying the audience’s understanding of the real circumstances and motivations of the characters as long as possible. If the screenplay can keep the characters from knowing much about it either, so much the better. Unfortunately, that is just not possible without some believable gimmick. Unknown may not be not as good as any of the models listed above, but it is a solid first attempt at the genre. Enough for the Weinstein brothers to distribute the film independently, in a select few locations, as well as by video-on-demand through IFC Films.

Five men awaken to find themselves locked inside a secure industrial building. Two of them have been tied up or handcuffed and the other three have been wounded in some sort of scuffle, but no one can remember who they are or what happened. As memories gradually start to return, a newspaper supplies the story of a kidnapping of two wealthy men, but who are the targets and who the criminals? During the struggle, a container of nerve gas was accidentally opened when it was knocked off a shelf, conveniently giving the entire cast temporary amnesia.

The allure of creating a hit in this genre drew in enough acting talent to make an excellent ensemble cast, although some of the familiar faces prejudice the viewer before we learn who is on what side. Of course, James Caviezel (as Jean Jacket) must be good: he was Jesus after all. Haven’t we all disliked Greg Kinnear (Broken Nose) since As Good as It Gets? And Joe Pantoliano (Bound Man) at least since The Matrix?