Reminiscence

In the end, Nick finds himself trapped in his memories, choosing to continue reliving his happiest moments with Mae rather than face the uncertain future outside. After exposing the corruption surrounding Walter Sylvan and Cyrus Booth, Nick is sentenced to life imprisonment, but he accepts his fate with a sense of peace. He enters the reminiscence tank one last time, connecting to the memories with Mae, and remains there indefinitely, drifting through the past. His journey becomes a kind of eternal love story—an endless loop of their shared moments—like a modern-day Orpheus who, having lost his Eurydice, chooses to stay in the underworld of his memories rather than face the pain of reality.

Nick’s final choice signifies that he cannot let go of his love for Mae or the happiness they shared. He prefers to remain in the idyllic, nostalgic world they’ve built together, even if it means sacrificing his chance of salvation or moving on. As Watts visits him years later and sees him still immersed in his memories, she reflects on how both of them have ended up in their own versions of happiness and sadness. Nick’s story reminds us that sometimes, love is a longing to hold onto the past, even when it prevents us from embracing the possibility of new beginnings. Ultimately, the ending underscores that, in the world of memories and love, the line between happiness and sorrow is blurred, and the choice to stay in the past can be both a refuge and a trap.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 09:00