Reminiscence

The film opens in Miami, Florida, in a future where rising sea levels have flooded cities along the east coast. Land barons control remaining dry land, and the city is filled with impoverished residents, including those living on boats and in slum-like areas. The environment and social conditions set the tone for the story, highlighting a world seeking escape and nostalgia.

Nicholas 'Nick' Bannister, a former military veteran, runs a business using a 'reminiscence' machine, which allows clients to experience past memories. Nick is partnered with Emily 'Watts' Sanders, and they serve various clients, including his old friend Hank and recurring customer Elsa. Nick provides an escape from reality through these memories.

A mysterious woman named Mae visits Nick seeking help to find her missing keys. Nick locates them, but he becomes fascinated by Mae’s lounge singing, which reminds him of his grandfather. They meet again, develop a romantic relationship, and Mae shares a story about how she ended up at a seaside house after her boat drifted away.

Several months later, Mae has vanished, and Nick obsessively searches through stored memories to find clues about her whereabouts. His friend Watts worries about his fixation, but Nick dismisses her concerns. He uncovers evidence of Mae interacting with known criminals and discovering her involvement in illicit activities.

Nick investigates memories involving Mae and a crime lord Saint Joe, where she is seen stealing drugs and attacking enforcers. This leads Nick to travel to New Orleans to confront Saint Joe, culminating in a violent shootout where Saint Joe is mortally wounded and Nick is saved from a deadly eel tank by Watts.

Nick learns that Mae had stolen memories from his vault, including those belonging to Elsa, and was in league with a crooked cop. He uncovers that Elsa was romantically involved with Walter Sylvan, a land baron, and that her son Freddie is in danger, prompting him to seek her out and protect her.

Nick discovers that Mae was blackmailed into working for Cyrus, a former partner of Saint Joe, who manipulated her into stealing memories. Mae rescued her son Freddie from Cyrus but was ultimately deceived and betrayed, leading her to fake her own death and sacrifice herself to save him.

Nick captures Cyrus and uses the reminiscence machine to interrogate him, revealing Cyrus's manipulation and betrayal. In a tragic turn, Mae commits suicide, and Nick, overwhelmed with grief, electrocutes Cyrus to lobotomize him, depriving him of his free will.

During another memory session, Nick confronts the real mastermind behind the conspiracy—Sebastian, Walter Sylvan’s son. Sebastian ordered Cyrus to kill Elsa and Freddie, fearing the boy might threaten his inheritance. Freddie is found alive and safe, rescued by the police.

Nick shares the story with Watts and advises her to inform the police about the corruption. The land monopoly is broken, and Sebastian likely faces imprisonment. Nick admits to some guilt for his actions but is content that justice is served, and the town begins to recover.

Years later, an elderly Nick is seen in the reminiscence machine, with Watts keeping watch. He reminisces about his time with Mae, recalling the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, symbolizing their longing and the tragic beauty of their memories. Nick finds peace in his memories of her.