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Total Recall

Play trailer 2:07 Poster for Total Recall R 1990 1h 49m Sci-Fi Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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81% Tomatometer 78 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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Total Recall

Total Recall

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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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Critics Reviews

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Kevin Maher The Times (UK) 11/20/2020
5/5
Forget about the disposable Colin Farrell remake from 2012. Go to Full Review
David Robinson The Times (UK) 06/23/2020
The film's visual invention is offset by its visceral nastiness. Schwarzenegger's self-deprecatory good humour prevails none the less. Go to Full Review
Nigel Andrews Financial Times 06/23/2020
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. Go to Full Review
Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh Sep 11
2/5
It's easy to see how fans of campy, '80s sci-fi hold a soft spot for this, though its more ludicrous components don't entirely stand the test of time. Go to Full Review
Harry Solomons Loud and Clear Reviews Jan 8
4.5/5
Total Recall succeeds where hundreds of its contemporaries fail; a sci-fi epic turning grand philosophical questions into undeniable and ludicrous fun. Go to Full Review
Terry Francis Southern Voice (Atlanta) 05/09/2023
1/4
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. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Jack F @MovieFan111 Nov 27 Not my favorite at all, but you should still watch it. Classic Verhoeven movie. I didn't fully understand the concept entirely, but whatever. See more Laurian D @Laurian Nov 2 Sort of watchable, thanks to a decent first half and Sharon Stone's mesmerizing presence. It didn't age well though and the special effects in the final act are plain ridiculous and I thought they were bad even at the time the movie came out. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Oct 13 Ages 17 and older!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The worldwide gross is $261,317,921.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more M B Aug 9 Excellent, fast paced 80s sci-fi action starring all time greats movie stars. See more Dominic I. @Giomeeseeks Aug 5 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. See more Forrest S Aug 4 An out-of-this-world adventure that has aged like fine wine. "Quaiiid, open your mind...." See more Read all reviews
Total Recall

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Movie Info

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
Live Video, Image Entertainment Inc., Artisan Entertainment, TriStar Pictures
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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