3,371 Ratings

Total Recall

United States, 1990

Sci-Fi, Action

Synopsis

In the year 2084 A.D., a construction worker haunted by visions of the planet Mars discovers his memories have been implanted and sets off to uncover the truth about his past.

This film is not currently playing on MUBI but 30 other great films are. See what’s now showing

Total Recall Directed by Paul Verhoeven

Show all (6)

Awards & Festivals

Academy Awards

1991 | 2 nominations including: Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing

1991 | Winner: Special Achievement Award

BAFTA Awards

1991 | Nominee: Best Special Visual Effects

Hugo Awards

1991 | Nominee: Best Dramatic Presentation

Awards of the Japanese Academy

1991 | Nominee: Best Foreign Film

Show all (30)

Verhoeven wasn’t the first to make a fugue state film, one in which everything on screen could conceivably be reality or a hallucination, but Total Recall marked a radical break from the increasingly simplified blockbusters that dominated the 1980s.

Jake Cole

June 04, 2015

Read full article

The House Next Door

Some of the first things about Total Recall I latched onto as a young cinephile were its dazzling production design and special effects, its breathless action sequences, its over-the-top violence—in short, its surface… Today, though, my appreciation for Paul Verhoeven’s mind trip goes beyond simple nostalgia, and hinges on how its seductive look and immediate visceral pleasures are wily in their concealment of grand themes.

Kenji Fujishima

May 28, 2015

Read full article

With the felicitous help of Jost Vacano’s characteristically lurid cinematography; Jerry Goldsmith’s suggestive soundtrack, which slips oneiric themes between bombastic brass horns and soaring synths; the outrageous make-up effects of Rob Bottin’s team; and ingenious location managers… Verhoeven here links underappreciated and everyday moral and philosophical dilemmas of identity and knowledge into a traditional and implausible hero narrative…

Michael Castelle

June 28, 2013

Read full article

Show all (107)

What are people saying?

Z's rating of the film Total Recall
Z

After the artistic and commercial triumph of "Robocop" Verhoeven created this hurtling, ultra-violent, unrelentingly intense and exciting action masterpiece. The film deals with fascinating themes regarding memory and identity while delivering one thrilling action set piece after another. Probably the smartest and most complex vehicle (on the script level) that Arnold ever had. Verhoeven's craft is second to none.
May 06, 2019 18:53
- 4
- 5
Ethan's rating of the film Total Recall
Ethan

This is another one of those films that didn't need a remake. Schwarzenegger actually made some pretty dynamic science fiction and Paul Verhoeven continues his string of Hollywood hits. Plus who can say no to three boobs?
February 09, 2019 20:02
- 2
- 0
Zachary George Najarian-Najafi's rating of the film Total Recall
Zachary George Najarian-Najafi

Pure camp fun. Arnold is at his bombastic best here, full of bulging eyes, and absurd one liners. I love the visual designs, too. They resemble something like the future as envisioned in a B52's music video. It's not as good as Blade Runner, but it's less serious and more fun.
May 06, 2019 18:53
- 3
- 0
Henri de Corinth's rating of the film Total Recall
Henri de Corinth

Rewatch. This film is over a quarter of a century old and yet it's hard to imagine a studio making something this graphic today.
May 06, 2019 18:53
- 3
- 0
Daniel S.'s rating of the film Total Recall
Daniel S.

Each time I see this film, I wonder why they haven't still corrected the misspelling in the inital credits: Philip K. Dick instead of Phillip K. Dick. It's a question of simple respect.
April 04, 2013 13:13
- 1
- 6
Mark Garrett's rating of the film Total Recall
Mark Garrett

Obviously, a fucking masterpiece, but I was fascinated to see how far back we've gone in terms of ballsiness. This was twenty years ago and would shock the average theatergoer of today
May 06, 2019 18:53
- 5
- 0
Seth Farmer's rating of the film Total Recall
Seth Farmer

Sometimes I wonder what Cronenberg's vision would have been. But then I remember Arnold getting kicked in the balls and those thoughts go away.
May 06, 2019 18:53
- 2
- 0
Phil Worfel's rating of the film Total Recall
Phil Worfel

I was too young the first time I watched this to appreciate the satire. It really is right up there with Robocop.
February 09, 2019 19:57
- 2
- 0