The Hugh Jackman-led flick Reminiscence opened to a slew of bad reviews. Currently, the movie holds an unenviable 36% on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating a generally unfavorable critical response. Given the initial hype around Reminiscence and its strong cast, including Mission: Impossible's Rebecca Ferguson, Thandiwe Newton, and Hugh Jackman himself, this reaction might strike some as a surprise. However, a look below the surface reveals that there are some serious problems with the project.
Despite Reminiscence being so bad, the movie does have an interesting plot, on paper. The film itself centers around "investigator of the mind" Nick Bannister, who specializes in helping clients recover memories buried deep in their subconscious. Bannister's world is turned upside down when he meets the mysterious Mae, leading him into a criminal conspiracy of intrigue and violence. Written by the co-creator of the hit show Westworld and produced by Jonathan Nolan, Reminiscence has, on the surface, all the ingredients to be a runaway hit. Unfortunately, the result has several issues.
Outside of Reminiscence's bad reviews, the movie performed just as poorly with audiences. The audience score on Rotten Tomatoes stands at a miserable 37%, just one point higher than critics' scores. Many people cite that the film was ripped straight from Inception, making the plot wholly unoriginal. Others were just as unkind about the film, stating that it was "slow," used too much narration, and the final product was altogether boring. Here's exactly why Reminiscence was so bad, and what most critics thought of the Hugh Jackman sci-fi movie.
Why Critics Think Reminiscence Is A Bad Movie
One reason for Reminiscence's poor critical reception is its derivative plot. The emphasis on the subconscious is comparable to forerunners such as Inception, directed and written by Jonathan Nolan's brother Christopher. The futuristic, watery setting also recalls the likes of Blade Runner – only wetter and less interesting. Despite the strong visuals and brooding tone, Reminiscence never quite manages to establish itself beyond its illustrious influences. As a result, many critics have suggested that the film just reminds them of better movies, rather than creating something genuinely new and memorable. Here's a sample of what some of Reminiscence's bad reviews are saying:
"Although Reminiscence is made with care and competence and features a strong underlying premise, the film as a whole is forgettable."
"Reminiscence's noir adornments inadvertently feel closer to parody than loving homage."
"For a film about memories, Reminiscence is ultimately truly forgettable."
"A burdensome slog. This wannabe works oh so hard to be a contemporary detective noir, with its shadows, damsel in distress and brooding narration. But it never finds the suspense or sensuality of that genre."
This is not to say that Reminiscence is without its merits. Several prominent critics have praised the on-screen chemistry between Jackman and Ferguson and the strong sense of visual style created by director and screenwriter Lisa Joy. Some of the more positive responses to the film are as follows:
"Hugh Jackman and Rebecca Ferguson sizzle, and the film's at its best when it focuses on their relationship."
"Action, romance, and corruption mix together in a blend that allows Reminiscence to wow as an original movie that indulges in the comforts of a very familiar sort of story."
Other Mediocre Sci-Fi Thrillers Like Reminiscence To Avoid
The sci-fi genre isn't immune to bad movies like Reminiscence. The early 2020s have faced some triumphs and major misses in the science fiction department. The movie Bliss, starring Owen Wilson and Salma Hayek, sits at an abysmal 28% on Rotten Tomatoes. The worst part about Bliss is that it has a great premise, but suffers in execution. The love story follows Greg (Wilson) after a divorce. He meets a woman named Isabel (Hayek) on the street, who believes that the entire world is a simulation. The movie's lack of clarity is what really killed it for critics. The film Inifinite got an even worse score, coming in at 16% on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie follows Mark Wahlberg's Evan, who finds himself discovering memories and skills from an unlocked past life. The plot, in general, didn't fly with critics, with the word "derivative" being mentioned the most. Finally, Tom Holland's movie Chaos Walking performed well among moviegoers but was absolutely panned by critics. Chaos Walking's Rotten Tomatoes score sits at a meager 22%, with critics blaming a bad ending and meandering plot as the death of the film.
The plus points of Reminiscence aren't enough to salvage the film from forgettable mediocrity. In addition to the failure to break new ground, the blend of various tones and genres has left some critics confused about the film's intentions. Although the movie builds a strong noir aesthetic throughout the opening act, it later distends into a mix of crime drama, romance, and time-travel science-thriller, without deciding which genre it wants to commit to fully. As a result, Reminiscence's bad reviews are due to the film juggling some interesting ideas, without realizing its full dramatic potential.