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.
Practical Effects
Those animatronic masks still haunt dreams.
Direction
Verhoeven's satire sneaks in under explosions.
Production
Mexico City standing in for dystopian Mars.
Director
Paul Verhoeven
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Douglas Quaid / Hauser
Rachel Ticotin
Melina
Sharon Stone
Lori Quaid
Ronny Cox
Vilos Cohaagen
Michael Ironside
Richter
Marshall Bell
George / Kuato
Mel Johnson Jr.
Benny
Michael Champion
Helm
Roy Brocksmith
Dr. Edgemar
Ray Baker
Bob McClane
Rosemary Dunsmore
Dr. Lull
David Knell
Ernie
Alexia Robinson
Tiffany
Dean Norris
Tony
Mark Carlton
Bartender
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The three-breasted prostitute was added because Verhoeven joked Mars needed more mutants, then kept it because the effects test looked incredible.
Verhoeven and Schwarzenegger fought over the ending—Arnold wanted certainty it was real, Verhoeven wanted ambiguity. The director won by making both readings equally valid.
US
