Total Recall
Year: 2012
Runtime: 118 mins
Language: English
Director: Len Wiseman
Budget: $125M
Factory worker Doug Quaid seeks an escape from his mundane life by taking a virtual vacation with Rekall, a company that implants memories. He chooses a fantasy of being a secret agent, but the procedure malfunctions, turning him into a fugitive. Now on the run from the authorities, Quaid joins forces with a freedom fighter to confront the tyrannical Chancellor Cohaagen and uncover the truth about his past and the nature of reality.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Total Recall yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Timeline – Total Recall (2012)
Trace every key event in Total Recall (2012) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:51
Explore Movie Threads
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Amnesiac Fugitive Thrillers like Total Recall
Protagonists on the run, hunted by a system while questioning their own memories.If you liked the high-stakes chase and identity mystery of Total Recall, you'll find more movies like it here. These sci-fi and action thrillers feature protagonists on the run, hunted by oppressive systems while grappling with who they really are, blending intense action with psychological suspense.
Narrative Summary
These narratives typically begin with a disruption to the protagonist's ordinary life, triggering a flight from authority. The plot is propelled by a series of action-packed confrontations and narrow escapes, intercut with revelations that slowly piece together the hero's true past. The central conflict is both external (surviving the chase) and internal (solving the puzzle of their own identity).
Why These Movies?
Movies in this thread share a core combination of a fast-paced chase narrative and a deep psychological mystery. They create a cohesive experience of paranoia and high tension, anchored by a protagonist whose most dangerous enemy might be their own forgotten past.
Dystopian Action Chases like in Total Recall
Relentless pursuits through grim, technologically advanced dystopian landscapes.For viewers who loved the frantic pace and futuristic world of Total Recall, this collection features similar movies with high-speed chases through dystopian cityscapes. These stories combine spectacular action with themes of resistance and survival in oppressive futures, delivering a thrilling and immersive experience.
Narrative Summary
The narrative pattern is often linear and propulsive, using chase sequences as the primary engine of the plot. The protagonist is constantly moving, from one dangerous situation to the next, with the oppressive world itself acting as a major antagonist. The action serves to explore the inequalities and technologies of the setting while advancing the hero's goal.
Why These Movies?
These films are grouped by their shared adrenaline-fueled pacing and the central role of the dystopian setting. The coherence comes from a consistent vibe of high-tech grit and relentless motion, where the environment is as much a character as the people fighting to survive within it.
Unlock the Full Story of Total Recall
Don't stop at just watching — explore Total Recall in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Total Recall is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Total Recall Summary
Read a complete plot summary of Total Recall, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Characters, Settings & Themes in Total Recall
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Total Recall. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
