Total Recall (1990)
A construction worker's virtual vacation to Mars becomes a gritty, relentless fight for a shifting reality.
Construction worker Douglas Quaid's obsession with the planet Mars leads him to visit Rekall, a virtual vacation company that manufactures memories. When something goes wrong during Quaid's memory implant procedure, his life turns upside down, leading him to question what is reality and what isn't.
How intense is Total Recall?
Total Recall is mildly scary, with graphic gore and brutal violence. Emotionally it is heavy. The pace is relentless, and it is a full-attention watch. Rated R.
What Total Recall feels like
- Tone
- pulpysuspensefulgritty
- Pace
- Relentless
- Best for
- Full attention
Where to stream Total Recall
US availability via TMDB, last checked Sep 13, 2026. The app filters picks to the services you actually have.
Is Total Recall for you?
Is Total Recall scary?
Only a little. Total Recall has a few tense moments (scare level 1 of 3), nothing that follows you to bed.
Is Total Recall gory or violent?
Graphic gore (2 of 3) and brutal violence (3 of 3). If graphic gore is a dealbreaker, skip it.
Is Total Recall sad or heavy?
It is emotionally heavy (2 of 3). Expect it to land.
Is Total Recall OK for kids?
It is rated R, so it is made for adults. Intensity: scare 1, gore 2, violence 3, each out of 3.
How long is Total Recall?
Total Recall runs 1h 53m.
Where can I stream Total Recall?
Total Recall is streaming on Paramount+ and Kanopy.
Does Total Recall have a happy ending? spoiler-safe answer
It leaves the ending open to interpretation.
Cast and crew
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