Director Joshua Marston (Maria Full of Grace) directs this intriguing film starring Rachel Weisz and Michael Shannon. Read our review after the jump.

There are over 7 billion people in the world. All living different and unique lives. What if you could step in a new country, a new city, or even a dinner party as a whole new person. One with a backstory and life totally different from your own. Complete Unknown explores this concept in action. Rachel Weisz plays Alice, a biologist who has discovered a unique breed of bullfrog. She meets Clyde (Michael Chernus) at a nearby cafeteria and the two form a friendship where he invites her to his brother Tom’s (Michael Shannon) birthday party. Tom and his wife Ramina (Azita Ghanizada) are at an intersection in their relationship; she has been accepted into a 2 year jewelry making scholarship across the country and Tom is unsure of whether to follow her across the country. At the party, Tom is distracted by this and asks Alice many questions about her life and as they continue their evening, she reveals she has changed her identity in the past in her travels. The party is captivated that anyone would do this and do it successfully. Tom is incredulous, but for another reason; Alice is not who she says she is. Alice is Jenny and they were together over 15 years ago and she has become someone else with current regularity ever since.

Complete Unknown largely works because of the seductive relationship between Shannon and Weisz. Even though Tom is in shock that Alice/Jenny would abandon her life; he is similarly envious taht she has been able to do it. While her relationship with being new people is motivated by ennui, Tom is in a position in his life where he wants to escape. As they walk and talk about their life and relationship, they help an elderly woman (Kathy Bates) get back to her apartment to her husband (Danny Glover); she gives him a taste of how easy and seductive it is to become someone else and he sees why being a blank slate can be freeing and exhilarating.

While the concept and premise of the film is unique, it feels like there is more that could have been done with it. The structure of the film is similar to a series of long conversations; not unlike Before Sunset or Coherence, this gives the film a sense of intimacy as if you are listening in on someone’s life. While the film wants you to empathize with Weisz’ character, it does come across as if she has gained a lot from her experiences but lost her bearings on what truly makes her happy. Complete Unknown is an interesting thinkpiece and provides some pause and an opportunity for conversation afterward on what defines an individual.