Sci-Fi Mystery Noir Comes To Netflix For A New Audience
Everything is going as planned for Nick Bannister (Hugh Jackman) and Watts (Thandiwe Newton) as they operate their memory experience business in ocean-drenched Miami until a sultry and mysterious stranger interrupts them with a closing time request. The red-dress-clad interloper is hoping that the pair can help her find her keys, and while it seems like a simple enough request, this encounter with Mae (Rebecca Ferguson) is more than it seems and will take Reminiscence audiences on a twisty, strange, and gripping ride.
Solve The Puzzle
War veteran Nick Bannister must find all the puzzle pieces and stitch them together to solve an all-consuming mystery, moving through post-war, mostly flooded Miami to find clues. With a decidedly dark and deliciously stylized feel, the world that writer and director Lisa Joy builds will keep you guessing through each resurfaced memory and every obscure corner of Reminiscence.
A Box Office Bomb
With a decidedly flat critical reception, Reminiscence was a bomb at the box office, too, taking in only two million at the opening; its future on streaming was unclear. Commentators cite flat characters, a buried conflict, and a pointless plot as reasons for their negative reviews, but these criticisms make me wonder if they’re familiar with the noir genre in the first place. Translated from French as “black film,” the film noir genre is shot through with existentialist cynicism, putting this film squarely in its camp.
A Modern Noir Film
Cinematographer Paul Cameron and production designer Howard Cummings were met with a tall order in bringing the world of Reminiscence to life. In addition to depicting a partially inundated Miami in a post-war future, the film demanded a visual representation of relived memories as well as a classic noir use of distinct light and shadow to create the right mood while keeping within the right physical reality. The watery streets, neon lights, and holographic memory-reliving machine all mesh together well to create a cohesive world that seems like a perfect home for the characters in it.
Demands You Pay Attention
Because so much of Reminiscence is unmoored in time, finding the thread of the connection between characters can be tough. At times, we’re not sure “when” we are, and on rewatching it, I definitely did replay certain parts to make sure I was following the timeline correctly. But this elusive reality is part of what gives the film its ethereal quality.
The story isn’t a direct line from “a” to “b” but travels through the memories of the characters, parsing out bits of information like breadcrumbs and leading the audience along an eerie and ever-shifting path.
Available On Netflix
REVIEW SCORE
Lisa Joy’s script for Reminiscence appeared on the 2013 Black List of unmade, but widely adored screenplays, so its ultimate box office blunder is a bit of a surprise. Best known for her work as an executive producer on Westworld, Joy has a healthy bundle of successes under her belt, leaving commentators somewhat baffled by their dislike of Reminiscence. Her expertise in science-fiction-with-a-twist concepts seems to give her an advantage when directing a sci-fi mystery noir.
Reminiscence is now streaming on Netflix.
