One part science fiction noir, one part psychological thriller, Reminiscence feels like it might be the kind of thinking person’s action movie we’ve been craving since Inception. Now, I was going to say that this looks like the movie we’d get if Steven Spielberg, Alfred Hitchcock, and Ridley Scott had a secret love child, but after listening to Lisa Joy speak about her film, I was convinced that this was an intriguingly distinctive work, and that any such comparison would just be plain lazy. It would be to do it a disservice.
Last night, we were invited to a special press conference at which Lisa Joy shared her inspirations for the movie, which ranged from conversations she’s had with her grandfather, to her experiences being a mother for a first time, to things she’s learned at a class she once took on the science of the mind. It became incredibly clear that Reminiscence was the product of experiences that were very specific to her. That had been processed through her clearly brilliant mind, filtered through some of her Westworld preoccupations, and infused with a pop sci-fi sensibility.
From this quick tease alone, I am already in love with the aesthetic of this movie. The nocturnal world that these characters inhabit feels so well realized and lived in. It’s a vision of the future that feels altogether probable. A mirror to what we’ve already seen Lisa Joy do in Westworld. What’s more, there is also something old fashioned about the way these characters carry themselves. From Rebecca Ferguson’s silhouetted first appearance, to Hugh Jackman’s ragged weariness, I’m getting very strong Kim Novak and James Stewart vibes.
Long story short, this feels like a movie that is laser targeted towards someone like me. So colour me excited.
Check out the Reminiscence trailer below and let us know what you think!
What’s Reminiscence About?
Nick Bannister is a private investigator of the mind who navigates the darkly alluring world of the past by helping his clients access lost memories. Living on the fringes of the sunken Miami coast, his life is forever changed when he takes on a new client, Mae. A simple matter of lost and found becomes a dangerous obsession. As Bannister fights to find the truth about Mae’s disappearance, he uncovers a violent conspiracy, and must ultimately answer the question: how far would you go to hold on to the ones you love?
Who’s Behind the Movie?
Reminiscence is written and directed by Lisa Joy. And If that name sounds familiar, it’s because she is one of the co-creators (read: geniuses) behind HBO’s Westworld. This movie, however, will be her debut directorial feature.
She has also assembled an incredible cast of players including Hugh Jackman and Rebecca Ferguson as Nick Bannister and Mae respectively, alongside Thandiwe Newton, Daniel Wu, Cliff Curtis, Oscar nominee Marina de Tavira, Mojean Aria, Brett Cullen, Natalie Martinez, Angela Sarafyan, and Nico Parker.
When Is Reminiscence Coming Out?
Reminiscence is scheduled for a simultaneous release in theaters and on HBO Max in the United States on August 20. It is currently scheduled for release here in Malaysia on October 7.
Follow Us