Reminiscence

On a near future Earth where Miami sits partly underwater after rising seas, Nicolas Bannister makes a living by helping clients dive back into memories using a neural technology. He’s a solitary veteran who trusts what the past can offer more than the present. When he meets Mae, a woman with a dangerous allure, a forbidden romance blooms as they navigate a city of flooded streets and dim-lit clubs. But a routine case in which a client's recollections point toward Mae spirals into a deeper mystery. Bannister must sift through blurred recollections and shady deals in the memory underworld to learn who Mae really is and what she is capable of. The city itself is a character, with canals and damp air shaping the choices people make.

Directed by Lisa Joy, Reminiscence is built from an original screenplay and features Hugh Jackman, Rebecca Ferguson, Thandiwe Newton, Cliff Curtis and Marina de Tavira. It represents Joy's feature directorial debut and arrived in 2021 with a glossy, noir tinted look and a strong mood for the screen.

With a budget of sixty eight million dollars, the film earned about eighteen point seven million worldwide, signaling a modest return rather than a blockbuster. The production combined big stars with a high concept premise in a genre blend of mystery and science fiction.

Culturally the film sparked conversations about memory as both treasure and weapon and about how tech could blur what we recall. Its Miami drenched in neon and rain creates an immersive backdrop that fans remember even if the plot divided critics and audiences.

Critics were divided on Reminiscence, praising the atmosphere, performances, and ambitious setup while raising concerns about pacing and exposition. Central themes include the lure of remembered moments versus present reality, the price of obsession, and the ethical costs of commodifying memory.