this post was submitted on 29 Oct 2025
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Watched the original Total Recall last night. Surprising how well it holds up. (lemmy.world)
submitted 6 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) by shalafi@lemmy.world to c/movies@piefed.social
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Wife really doesn't like science fiction, made her watch it anyway. "Trust me, it's great!" She was engrossed! The plot and acting really has the viewer questioning what's going on. We all know what happened, but it would be interesting to experience it again for the first time.

One of Schwarzenegger's better acting roles. You can feel his desperation and confusion, his second guessing himself.

Thoughts on the new one? Only saw it once, liked it at the time, haven't felt the urge to spin it again.

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[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 8 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (2 children)

I like that the OG doesn't seem to lesve it ambiguous as to whether or not it's real or just in his head. The scene where the dude tries to talk him out of the "simulation" is a major key element here. Quaid sees him sweat. Why is he sweating if it's not real?

[–] RubberElectrons@lemmy.world 6 points 5 days ago (1 children)

It doesn't leave it ambiguous? The original??

I mean it even fades to white, there a lot of ambiguous clues..

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago (2 children)

I'm torn between "it's obvious" and "it's not obvious". Mostly leaning on obvious, but there are niggling questions. :)

And if anyone can't tell where I lean, well, that's ambiguity for ya.

[–] UKFilmNerd@feddit.uk 3 points 5 days ago

I remember reading an interview with Verhoeven at the time. He says that Arnie dies in the chair at Rekall at the end, it's all in his head. That's why the film fades to white at the end.

[–] RubberElectrons@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago

Lol alright then. I haven't watched the remake, nor do I plan to, sexy as Kate Beckinsale is.

[–] Manjushri@piefed.social 1 points 5 days ago

It's been a while since I watched it but taking the pill was supposed to be a symbol that Arnie was rejecting the fantasy and allow him to return to reality. Assuming everything was really in his head, the drop of sweat was Arnie's subconscious rejecting reality in favor of the fantasy.