Memento (2000)
Christopher Nolan's landmark psychological thriller follows a man with no short-term memory hunting his wife's killer through a fractured, reverse-told narrative.
Memento - Movie Information
- Original Title: Memento
- Release Year: 2000
- Directed by: Christopher Nolan
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Mystery, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 53m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 11, 2000 (Switzerland - 14), May 25, 2001 (United States - R), October 20, 2000 (United Kingdom - 15), December 13, 2001 (Germany - 16), October 11, 2000 (France - 12), April 12, 2001 (New Zealand - R16), November 6, 2000 (Australia - MA15+), March 16, 2001 (Brazil - 16), July 14, 2001 (Mexico - B), January 19, 2001 (Italy - T), January 19, 2001 (Spain - 12), August 25, 2001 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: Пам'ятай (UA), 記憶拼圖 (TW), Amnésia 2000 (BR), Memento (ES), یادآوری (IR), Помни (RU)
- Production Companies: Newmarket Films, Summit Entertainment, Team Todd, I Remember Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Memento - Plot
Leonard Shelby is tracking down the man who raped and murdered his wife. The difficulty of locating his wife's killer, however, is compounded by the fact that he suffers from a rare, untreatable form of short-term memory loss. Although he can recall details of life before his accident, Leonard cannot remember what happened fifteen minutes ago, where he's going, or why.
Memento - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Nolan's fractured narrative come to life:
Some memories are best forgotten.
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Memento - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Christopher Nolan
Main Cast
- Guy Pearce
- Carrie-Anne Moss
- Joe Pantoliano
- Mark Boone Junior
- Russ Fega
- Jorja Fox
- Stephen Tobolowsky
- Harriet Sansom Harris
- Thomas Lennon
- Callum Keith Rennie
Writers
- Christopher Nolan
Producers
- Jennifer Todd
- Suzanne Todd
Memento - FAQs
What is the ending of Memento explained?
At the film's end, Leonard discovers that Teddy is actually a corrupt cop who has been manipulating him for years. Leonard killed his wife's real murderer long ago but continues fabricating new targets to give his life purpose. He deliberately conditions himself to pursue Teddy next, choosing a comforting lie over a painful truth.
Is Memento based on a true story?
Memento is not based on a true story. Christopher Nolan adapted the screenplay from a short story called "Memento Mori" written by his brother Jonathan Nolan. The condition depicted — anterograde amnesia — is a real neurological disorder, but the characters and plot are entirely fictional.
Where can you stream Memento online?
Memento is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and Peacock Premium in the United States. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Free ad-supported viewing is available on The Roku Channel and Pluto TV.
Why does Leonard use tattoos and Polaroids?
Because Leonard suffers from anterograde amnesia and cannot form new short-term memories, he relies on Polaroid photographs with handwritten notes and permanent tattoos on his body to record critical facts. These external memory aids substitute for the internal recall he has lost, allowing him to function and pursue his investigation.
Who directed Memento and when was it released?
Memento was directed by Christopher Nolan. It premiered on October 11, 2000, at film festivals in Switzerland and France before receiving its wide US theatrical release on May 25, 2001. The film was Nolan's second feature and became a landmark of non-linear storytelling in contemporary cinema.
What is the age rating for Memento?
Memento is rated R by the MPA in the United States, meaning viewers under 17 require accompanying parental or adult guardian supervision. The rating reflects the film's strong violence, language, and mature thematic content involving murder, manipulation, and psychological distress.
Did Memento win any major awards?
Memento earned widespread critical acclaim and received two Academy Award nominations — for Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing. Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan won the BAFTA Award for Best British Screenplay. The film also won numerous critics' circle and independent film awards, cementing its status as a modern classic.
What are similar films to Memento?
If you enjoyed Memento, consider watching The Sixth Sense (1999), Fight Club (1999), Donnie Darko (2001), The Prestige (2006), and Requiem for a Dream (2000). Christopher Nolan's earlier film Following (1999) and David Fincher's The Game (1997) also share Memento's taste for psychological misdirection and unreliable narratives.
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