User reviews

This movies starts with a mystery about a painting and a surprise action scene and turns into a love story with a message of self-empowerment. What makes the movie work are the strong central performances by Kerry Lacy as Juniper and Sonia Mena as Penny. As their relationship develops, with a few twists and turns, Juniper and Penny learn the differences between surface motives and their true feelings. Writer-Director Cinder Chou lets the characters navigate their feelings at their own pace and their own personal discoveries feel real and unforced. Good supporting performances, including a scuzzy boyfriend and a keeping-it-real ex-girlfriend, are foils that keep the central characters grounded. As Juniper finds new strength, her own inner Amazon warrior, both emotionally and physically, Director Chou sets up some impressive fight scenes where the hits and blows actually land and leave a mark. This is an impressive debut feature and I'm looking forward to seeing what Chou has coming next.

This indie film has a lot going for it with complex relationships complicated by a mysterious painting thrown in the mix. Writer/Director Cinder Chou did a great job constructing an interesting story without telegraphing where it was headed. The locations were well-chosen. The casting was outstanding. Every character was engaging and believable and real. Just a great all-around cast. Though the action of the last fight scene did leave me questioning. This was a very ambitious and what appears to be a heartfelt project and I applaud the Ms. Chou and the cast and crew that came together to create this movie.

"Artist Unknown" is well-timed and subtle, often arising from Juniper's dry sense of humor. It balances the action and emotional while keeping the film at a fast pace without detracting from the story's deeper moments. The romantic subplot is well-handled, providing warmth and authenticity to enhance Juniper's journey. This film has a lot of heart. Aside from the action and humor is a story about self-discovery. Kerry Lacy's Juniper feels believable and authentic, drawing you into Juniper's world and making you root for her in her personal journey.

This movie has action, romance and mystery, something for everyone. There is an empowerment message led by the two leads which have great chemistry together. Written-and-directed by Cinder Chou, this cute movie features two moving and believable performances by Kerry Lacy and Sonia Mena who connect over a mysterious painting. All the supporting character was engaging and real, a great all-around cast. Highly recommend this fun indie film to fans of romance, action and a nice story.

Artist Unknown is a smart, engaging love story with the added spice of a mysterious painting and sharp martial arts action. The two leads, played by Kerry Lacy and Sonia Mena, draw you in with their personal chemistry and their tough-and-tender journey through crime, messy relationships, and barely making it in New York. The cinematography and Brooklyn locations help propel the narrative, and the fight sequences are convincing and well paced. The twists and turns in the story keep you guessing the whole way-in an indie film, is anybody ever truly safe?

Making an independent film is a huge challenge, and writer-director Cinder Chou has delivered Artist Unknown with pizazz and polish!

Artist Unknown, written and directed by Cinder Chou, is a remarkable example of independent filmmaking that blends authenticity, heart, and a truly unique perspective. As a New Yorker, I love films that offer a fresh view of the city, and this story does so beautifully, focusing on the journey of a character who feels both deeply relatable and refreshingly original.

The story centers on Juniper, played with understated brilliance by Kerry Lacy, a martial artist who's hit rock bottom. She's working as an assistant trainer at her ex-girlfriend's MMA studio, crashing on her couch, and trying to figure out her next steps. A spontaneous purchase of a painting from a thrift store sets her on an unexpected adventure involving masked thieves, life-or-death fight scenes, and, ultimately, a deeper understanding of her own self-worth.

On IMDb, Artist Unknown is categorized as action, comedy, and romance, and it firmly fits into all three genres. The action is grounded and realistic, with stripped-down fight scenes that rely on basic kickboxing rather than flashy, over-the-top choreography. There are no wires or flying-through-the-air stunts-just clean, practical combinations you'd see in a gym or tournament. It's gritty, authentic, and mirrors what you might encounter in a street fight, which I really appreciated. This realism adds a grounded edge to the story, making Juniper's fights feel urgent and relatable.

The comedy is subtle and well-timed, often arising from the everyday absurdities of Juniper's situation and her dry sense of humor. It balances the action and emotional stakes, keeping the tone light enough to enjoy without detracting from the story's deeper moments. The romantic subplot is equally well-handled, providing just enough warmth and connection to enhance Juniper's journey without overwhelming the narrative.

What makes this film truly stand out, though, is its heart. Beneath the action and humor is a poignant story about resilience and self-discovery. Juniper's journey isn't just about protecting a painting-it's about reclaiming her independence and rediscovering her inner strength. Kerry Lacy's performance is incredibly natural, drawing you into Juniper's world and making you root for her every step of the way.

Cinder Chou's direction is confident and focused, capturing the gritty vibrancy of New York City while maintaining an intimate focus on character. The pacing is seamless, thanks in part to sharp editing that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

Artist Unknown is a prime example of how independent films can tell stories that feel personal and real while delivering entertainment that's every bit as engaging as bigger-budget projects. For anyone who enjoys action, comedy, romance, or simply a well-told story, this film is a must-watch. It's a reminder of the power of independent cinema to showcase unique perspectives and reveal the unexpected beauty in everyday struggles.