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Total Recall

Play trailer Poster for Total Recall R Released Jun 1, 1990 1h 49m Sci-Fi Action Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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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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) 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Chris H Sci-fi at its best in this great, fun film. The plot is so complex and interesting and the visuals (which won an Oscar) so amazing, you've just got to see this one. I must have seen it a dozen times and I could watch it again right now. Sharon Stone stands out in the acting category, but Schwarzenegger is very good and gives her a run for her money. It's a bit of a shift for him, as he has to be vulnerable and lost, as well as kick the proverbial. Don't bother with the 2012 remake, go for this, the real thing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/04/25 Full Review Ryan N This is one of my favorite Schwarzenegger movies! I was in high school when this movie came out, and it still holds up to today! I loved the story, action, Arnold humor, and the VFX (for its time)!!! This movie has some favorite supporting cast actors (Michael Ironside from V and Ronny Cox from Beverly Hills Cop). The spy side of the movie was sooo cool and was great with a sc-fi twist!!! This movie delivers on sooo many levels! If you like Sci-fi, Arnold, and bloody action then this is the movie for you. I am also a fan of Paul Verhoeven (who directed Robocop, and Starship Troopers!!) Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/01/25 Full Review Farah R Watching the 2012 remake first made this one look outdated, but there’s no denying the practical effects were mind-blowing. If only the story had the same effect. The mutant plot line was weird and the side characters overcrowded the narrative. I think the remake did it better. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 05/30/25 Full Review Mark J One of the best sci-fi films of its era. Fun, campy, violent and imaginative. Love that it keeps you guessing if it all happened or not. Still not sure why they did a remake. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/26/25 Full Review Steve Z The suspense on whether or not they can press the air button is enough reason to watch this film. Everything else is cake. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/07/25 Full Review Audience Member I remember watching this as a kid and it having positive, lasting impression. After rewatching it recently, despite being more into satirical work and sci fi, I just found this film a little dull. There are great ideas and there is some thought provoktion about the future but I found the storytelling not quite there. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 05/05/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Paul Verhoeven

Director

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Douglas Quaid

Rachel Ticotin

Melina

Sharon Stone

Lori

Ronny Cox

Vilos Cohaagen

Michael Ironside

Richter

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Total Recall

Total Recall (1990) Total Recall (1990) A scene from the film "Total Recall." A scene from the film "Total Recall." A scene from the film "Total Recall." A scene from the film "Total Recall." View more photos

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
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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