I Don’t Know Who You Are (2024) Movie Review
Starring Mark Clennon, based on the experience of director, writer, and editor M.H. Murray, in this theatrical release, we experience the aftermath of a man being assaulted.
[Unless Said Otherwise] Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Plot Summary
Benjamin’s life is on an upswing. He just finished a tour that left him with enough money to send home to Jamaica, he has a date with a cute guy named Malcolm soon, and he has a gig where he will not only be front and center but also perform playing the sax. This is something he hasn’t done in a while.
However, this upswing comes to a halt after being assaulted, dealing with the less-than-stellar side of the Canadian healthcare system, and trying to process how something less than ten minutes may have drastically altered his life.
Cast and Characters
| Character’s Name | Actor’s Name |
| Benjamin | Mark Clennon |
| Malcolm | Anthony Diaz |
| Ariel | Nat Patricia Manuel |
| Agnes | Deragh Campbell |
Benjamin
Benjamin is a musician with a multi-faceted talent that ranges from singing to the flute to playing the saxophone and likely more. But, as reported by at least one friend, his taste in men? It has long been lackluster. But Benjamin is still someone who loves love and gets lustful, so he doesn’t like sitting on the sidelines, licking his wounds, for too long.
Malcolm
Malcolm is a guy Benjamin is interested in, but because Malcolm is the type to take it slow, it pushed Benjamin to feel undesired, leaving their relationship in question.
Ariel
Ariel is Benjamin’s best friend.
Agnes
Agnes is one of Benjamin’s old friends who has known him since they went to school together.
Review
Our Rating: Positive (Worth Seeing)
Good If You Like
- Dramas that aren’t rooted in trying to have accolade-worthy moments but rather someone dealing with a tough time
Similar To This
- Femme
- I May Destroy You
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Highlights
The Highs And Lows Of Random Hook Ups
Casual sex can be thrilling. It’s a stranger who desires you and wants to explore your body, but there is always a dangerous element to it. You don’t know this person, you don’t know their status, and while things start off hot and consensual, it can take a turn at any moment. This leads to a situation that sets your soul on fire because of passion, potentially triggering your fight, flight or freeze response.
And what makes “I Don’t Know Who You Are” all the more impactful is because, for many people who like or love men, how you find love or satiate lust may be on apps or websites. Most of which don’t have the same protections or walls that apps and sites aimed at heterosexual people have.
So, like Benjamin, you can think, with a sudden encounter, you may meet someone who boosts your ego and makes you feel desirable, only to be hit with the realization it has nothing to deal with you specifically beyond how available you are, either willingly, hopefully, or because you showed up.
Thus, in many ways, though the film doesn’t play up on it too much, since Benjamin isn’t swiping, on Grindr, Sniffies, or what have you, you get the horror and challenges of dating, wanting sex, or even a relationship as a gay man, despite the assumption that more men are out and proud than ever.
Understanding The Canadian Healthcare System Isn’t The Gold Standard As Many Are Pushed To Think
In a post-screening Q&A, the Writer, Director, and Editor broke down how, with the story being based on his own experience, the complications of getting the medication needed to prevent the development of HIV. From one hand not talking to another, drugs not being covered, and having to repeatedly explain your situation; while there is no doubt universal healthcare has benefits to relying on your employer, there is a reminder the system isn’t perfect and has potential blindspots that are not the priority of those in charge.
Moments Of Levity
While Benjamin is rightfully going through it, the film reminds you that the world doesn’t revolve around him, and even in moments of grief, you can escape said pain or fear. Ariel offers opportunities to laugh and be with people, and Agnes offers him a meal and company despite the time she and Benjamin have been apart.
In addition, Benjamin is a musician, both a performer and teacher, and connecting with people over music seems healing to him and not just a means of monetizing his talent. So, for those worried this would be doom and gloom and potentially triggering for an entire movie, thankfully, that isn’t the case.
On The Fence
The Length Of The Beats To Process Emotion
It’s understood when someone is processing something, they need a minute. The problem comes when you put that in a film and try to depict it. Now, Benjamin cleaning his house and trying to regain control over his space, that makes sense. He is taking a beat to regain autonomy. However, other moments, like him wandering in the park drunk, feel unnecessary and like padding.
In some ways, it is the perfect example of how to use time and space vs. how not to. At least from the point of view of pacing. For while sometimes both the character and audience need a beat after something happens, if you do it too much, it pushes the idea that you are just aiming for this to be the time length of a feature-length film vs. a short.
Background Information
| Film Length | 1 Hour 43 Minutes |
| Date Released | May 24, 2024 |
| Distributor | Dark Star Pictures |
| Director(s) | M.H. Murray |
| Writer(s) | M.H. Murray |
| Based On Work By | N/A |
| Genre(s) | Crime, Drama, LGBT+ |
| Content Rating | Not Rated |
| Content Information | |
| Dialog | Cursing |
| Violence | N/A |
| Sexual Content | Sexual Situations (Implied), Depiction of Abuse |
| Miscellaneous | Drinking, Drug Use, Vomiting, Smoking |
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