Reminiscence Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Wolverine gets catfished in a soggy Miami and decides the best course of action is to commit memory fraud to live in a VR simulation with his fake girlfriend forever.

🍿 Reminiscence: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to a Dystopian Miami

In a near-future Miami ravaged by climate change and rising sea levels, Nick Bannister operates a unique business: helping people relive their memories. He and his partner, Watts, offer an escape from their grim reality through immersive reminiscence technology. The world is a noir landscape where the past is a commodity.

The Arrival of Mae and a Tangled Web

Mae, a mysterious and alluring nightclub singer, enters Nick’s life seeking help to find her lost keys. Nick is immediately captivated, and they begin a passionate affair. However, Mae abruptly disappears, setting Nick on a desperate quest to find her. His obsession leads him down a dangerous path, blurring the lines between reality and memory.

Unraveling the Truth in New Orleans

Nick’s investigation takes him to New Orleans, where he uncovers Mae’s past as a drug addict and her association with a powerful drug kingpin, Saint Joe. He learns that Mae stole from Saint Joe before fleeing. This revelation shatters Nick’s perception of Mae, but his determination to find her only intensifies. He fights through dangerous encounters, determined to discover the truth behind her disappearance.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Nick Bannister (Hugh Jackman): A war veteran and private investigator of memories who becomes obsessed with finding his missing lover.
• Mae (Rebecca Ferguson): A mysterious nightclub singer and former drug addict who captivates Nick and then disappears, leading him on a dangerous quest.
• Emily ‘Watts’ Sanders (Thandiwe Newton): Nick’s loyal friend and business partner, a fellow veteran who distrusts Mae and secretly harbors feelings for Nick.
• Cyrus Boothe (Cliff Curtis): A corrupt ex-cop and henchman connected to both Saint Joe and the Sylvans, who plays a crucial role in Mae’s disappearance and Elsa’s murder.
• Saint Joe (Daniel Wu): A New Orleans drug kingpin and Mae’s former employer, whose past connection to her sets Nick on a dangerous path.
• Walter Sylvan (Brett Cullen): A wealthy and influential land baron whose secrets are tied to Mae’s disappearance and Elsa’s murder.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Nick Bannister: “Nothing is more addictive than the past.” – Bannister’s opening narration sets the tone for the movie, highlighting humanity’s inclination to dwell on memories.
• Nick Bannister: “Who wouldn’t want to be reunited with a loved one? Or relive the most meaningful moments of their life?” – Bannister reflects on the universal allure of memories, and sets up the central conflict of the film.
• Nick Bannister: “But memories, even good ones, have a voracious appetite. If you’re not careful, they consume you.” – Bannister warns about the danger of becoming lost in the past, foreshadowing his own obsession.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $54,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $3,900,193
• Worldwide Gross: $16,400,193

💥 Reminiscence Reviews

Personal Review

I wanted to love this movie. The concept of diving into memories is fascinating, and the flooded Miami setting is visually striking. However, the plot felt convoluted and hard to follow, and I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I hoped. Some scenes were truly captivating, like the memory dives, but overall, I left feeling a bit disappointed. It had so much potential but just didn’t quite deliver for me.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of neo-noir thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in dystopian science fiction”
  • “Those who enjoy movies with complex plots and mysteries”
  • “Hugh Jackman and Rebecca Ferguson fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Suicide”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Reminiscence drowns in its own convoluted plot, failing to make a splash despite a talented cast and visually arresting world-building. The film’s ambition is admirable, but its execution leaves much to be desired, resulting in a forgettable experience.
• The New York Times: “While visually stunning, Reminiscence struggles to balance its noir and sci-fi elements, resulting in a story that feels both familiar and unfocused. Jackman delivers a solid performance, but the film’s narrative shortcomings ultimately overshadow his efforts.
• RogerEbert.com: “Lisa Joy’s directorial debut has plenty of style, but lacks substance. The world-building is intriguing, but the characters are underdeveloped, and the plot meanders aimlessly, failing to create a compelling emotional connection with the audience.

Audience Reactions

The visual world-building of flooded Miami was a standout for many viewers.: Most viewers appreciated the unique dystopian setting and the film’s ambitious concept, even if the execution wasn’t perfect.

Hugh Jackman’s performance was generally well-received.: Many praised Jackman’s acting, but noted that the script didn’t give him enough to work with.

Overall Consensus: Reminiscence is a visually interesting but ultimately flawed film with a complex plot that may not resonate with all viewers. While the concept is intriguing and the performances are solid, the execution struggles to live up to its potential.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Lisa Joy’s feature directorial debut, known for her work on ‘Westworld’, draws heavily from film noir and sci-fi classics.”
• “Rebecca Ferguson performs the song ‘Where or When’ in the film, showcasing her vocal talent, in contrast to ‘The Greatest Showman’ where her singing was dubbed.”
• “The visual effects team faced the challenge of depicting a flooded Miami, requiring significant CGI work to create the dystopian environment.”
• “Lisa Joy has said Reminiscence was originally intended as a story for Westworld, before being developed into a film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Reminiscence?

Reminiscence is available for streaming on platforms such as HBO Max. It is also available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for current availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Reminiscence, you might like these similar films:

• Blade Runner (1982): Features a similar neo-noir atmosphere, detective investigation, and futuristic technology themes.
• Strange Days (1995): Explores technology that allows users to experience other people’s memories and sensations, with a mystery at its core.
• Inception (2010): Deals with the concept of manipulating and navigating the human mind, though with dreams instead of memories.
• Minority Report (2002): Presents a futuristic world with advanced technology used to solve crimes and a protagonist caught in a complex conspiracy.

🛒 Reminiscence Related Products

• Blade Runner 2049 [4K Ultra HD]: A visually stunning neo-noir film that explores themes of memory, identity, and what it means to be human.
• Inception [Blu-ray]: A mind-bending thriller that delves into the world of dreams and subconsciousness. An action-packed, twisty story that you won’t see coming.
• Detective Noir Fedora Hat: This classic fedora will add an instant flair to your style.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Blade Runner 2049 – Deckard: Collect them all!

🎧 Soundtrack

Reminiscence features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Where or When” – performed by Rebecca Ferguson
• “Baca” – performed by Ramin Djawadi

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Reminiscence – Movie Review

Thinking about watching Reminiscence? Jeremy Jahns gives a pretty honest review – it’s worth checking out to see if it’s your kind of movie. He doesn’t hold back, which I appreciate!

Reminiscence | A Journey Through Time (Featurette) | HBO Max

Ever wonder how they created the memory-diving tech in Reminiscence? This behind-the-scenes featurette dives into it with the cast and crew – it’s fascinating to see how they brought the movie’s world to life. I especially liked hearing about the concept of the ‘reminiscence machine’!

In 2029, The World Sinks, The Rich Build 1000m Wall, Leaving the Poor to Drown

Need a quick refresher on what happened in Reminiscence? This recap video breaks down the entire plot in just 12 minutes. I found it super helpful to jog my memory of some of the smaller details!

✨ Rate