Total Recall

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Total Recall

R

Released Jun 1, 1990

1h 49m

Sci-Fi

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

77 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a bored construction worker in the year 2084 who dreams of visiting the colonized Mars. He visits "Rekall," a company that plants false memories into people's brains, in order to experience the thrill of Mars without having to travel there. But something goes wrong during the procedure; Quaid discovers that his entire life is actually a false memory and that the people who implanted it in his head now want him dead.

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Critics Consensus

Under Paul Verhoeven's frenetic direction, Total Recall is a fast-paced rush of violence, gore, and humor that never slacks.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Forget about the disposable Colin Farrell remake from 2012.

Rated: 5/5

Nov 20, 2020

Full Review

David Robinson

The Times (UK)

The film's visual invention is offset by its visceral nastiness. Schwarzenegger's self-deprecatory good humour prevails none the less.

Jun 23, 2020

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Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

Suffice it that machines crackle, futureworlds whirl and beings human and animal metamorphose before our eyes. Sci-fl addicts, see and enjoy. Everyone else may await, though not over-eagerly, the video.

Jun 23, 2020

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Harry Solomons

Loud and Clear Reviews

Total Recall succeeds where hundreds of its contemporaries fail; a sci-fi epic turning grand philosophical questions into undeniable and ludicrous fun.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jan 8, 2025

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Terry Francis

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

Undoubtedly the film will make millions, but Schwarzenegger still can't act worth a damn and neither he nor anyone associated with the film can ever buy what they don't have -- it's called class.

Rated: 1/4

May 9, 2023

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

There is no need to dress it up in order to have fun. [Full review in Spanish]

Oct 28, 2022

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M B

Excellent, fast paced 80s sci-fi action starring all time greats movie stars.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/09/25

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Dominic I.

This is a prime example of what a sci-fi film should be. I just absolutely love this movie and its many original ideas. It has no problem establishing the world the characters are living in and it also leaves us room to wonder as well. The characters are likable and cool, the action is fun, the humor is the same you can expect from any 90s Schwarzenegger action flick (which IS a good thing). Overall this film is a must watch for any sci-fi or Schwarzenegger fans.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/05/25

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Forrest S

An out-of-this-world adventure that has aged like fine wine. "Quaiiid, open your mind...."

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/04/25

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bao s

Saw it in the theatres as an adolescent, somehow it's even better now! From the mind of Philip K. Dick and the comic-book-on-film direction of Paul Verhoeven, it's a classic!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/15/25

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Ava S

Total Recall is a fun, chaotic ride, bolstered by cool effects, awesome action, and wild villains, all set within a unique futuristic world that cements it as a sci-fi staple.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/29/25

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Jonathan N

Minor Spoiler action here: If you haven't seen this movie, have you been living under a rock?? Go watch it already before you read this review... Gotta love the 1990 "future" LOL!! This movie has it all: a three-breasted woman, a "schizoid embolism", and headshots that don't produce any blood... who could ask for more. This Phillip K. Dick adaptation actually has a decent story if you pay attention, although the action is about as cheesy as it gets. The crappy stunt work aside, this movie keeps my interest, and even after all these years ain't half bad. Arnie is a so-so actor (with some truly awesome faces), but it really doesn't matter... nothing matters in this movie... it's just mindless fun... Sharon Stone, what a babe! Extra half star for her! And if you want to know how long it takes to fill an entire planet with oxygen, the answer is obviously 10-15 seconds, DUH.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/26/25

Full Review

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Paul Verhoeven

Director

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Douglas Quaid

Rachel Ticotin

Melina

Sharon Stone

Lori

Ronny Cox

Vilos Cohaagen

Michael Ironside

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Synopsis

Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a bored construction worker in the year 2084 who dreams of visiting the colonized Mars. He visits "Rekall," a company that plants false memories into people's brains, in order to experience the thrill of Mars without having to travel there. But something goes wrong during the procedure; Quaid discovers that his entire life is actually a false memory and that the people who implanted it in his head now want him dead.

Director: Paul Verhoeven
Producer: Buzz Feitshans, Ronald Shusett
Screenwriter: Ronald Shusett, Dan O'Bannon, Philip K. Dick, Jon Povill, Gary Goldman
Distributor: Image Entertainment Inc., Live Video, TriStar Pictures, Artisan Entertainment
Production Co: TriStar Pictures, Carolco Pictures Inc.
Rating: R
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 1, 1990, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 2020
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 26, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $117.8M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Surround, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Dolby SR, Stereo
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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