Movies About Memory Loss

From Christopher Nolan, starring Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, Mark Boone Junior
Rated R

Memento (2000) follows Leonard Shelby, a man who suffers from anterograde amnesia, meaning that he is unable to form new memories. In the wake of a violent attack that resulted in the death of his wife, Leonard embarks on a quest to find her killer - a quest he can neither remember beginning nor completing. In order to keep himself on track, Leonard utilizes a complex system of Polaroid photographs, tattoos, and notes to remind himself of his mission. Along the way, he encounters other characters that both help and hinder his progress, and he must decide who he can truly trust. The film's narrative is presented in an unconventional manner, alternating back and forth between two timelines out of chronological order.

From Michel Gondry, starring Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Tom Wilkinson, Gerry Robert Byrne
Rated R

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a 2004 romantic science fiction comedy-drama film directed by Michel Gondry and written by Charlie Kaufman. The film follows an estranged couple who have undergone a procedure to have each other erased from their memories. As their memories are erased, the couple begins to rediscover their love for each other. The film stars Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet as the couple, with Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, and Tom Wilkinson in supporting roles. The film is noted for its innovative narrative structure and visuals, which draw heavily on the conventions of science fiction and surrealism. It was well-received by critics and many consider it to be one of the best films of the 2000s. The film was nominated for numerous awards, including 4 Academy Awards, and won two BAFTA Awards for Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing.

From Paul Greengrass, starring Matt Damon, Edgar Ramírez, Joan Allen, Julia Stiles
Rated PG-13

The Bourne Ultimatum is the third installment in the Bourne film series. Matt Damon reprised his role as Jason Bourne, an amnesiac assassin who has been on the run since the first film. With the help of CIA agent Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles), Bourne discovers that the CIA has been using him to carry out clandestine operations. In his search for the truth, Bourne discovers the existence of Operation Blackbriar, a successor to the original Treadstone project. As he digs deeper, Bourne soon finds himself in a life-threatening situation, as he is pursued by CIA agents and assassins sent by a mysterious figure known as "Assassin X". In the end, Bourne discovers the identity of his true enemy and sets out to seek justice.

From Doug Liman, starring Franka Potente, Matt Damon, Chris Cooper, Clive Owen
Rated PG-13

The Bourne Identity is an action-packed spy thriller about a man (Matt Damon) who wakes up with amnesia, remembering nothing about his past. He discovers he is a highly trained assassin with multiple passports and a large sum of money in his possession. With the help of a resourceful woman (Franka Potente) he begins to unravel his past while evading mysterious and dangerous forces that seek to eliminate him. Along the way, he discovers his true identity and realizes the only way to survive is to find out the truth about who he is and why he was targeted.

From David Lynch, starring Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux, Jeanne Bates
Rated R

Mulholland Drive follows the story of two women, Betty Elms and Rita, who become embroiled in the mysterious world of Hollywood. After Betty, an aspiring actress, arrives in Los Angeles, she meets Rita, a woman suffering from amnesia. The two women attempt to uncover the secrets of Rita's identity and piece together the strange puzzle of events that have brought them together. As Betty and Rita unravel the mystery, they encounter a bizarre cast of characters, including a director, a hitman, a movie star, and a mysterious cowboy. Eventually, the two women must confront their own dark secrets if they are to survive the surreal and terrifying journey of Mulholland Drive.

From Mervyn LeRoy, starring Ronald Colman, Greer Garson, Philip Dorn, Susan Peters
Rated Passed

"Random Harvest" is a romantic drama set during World War I, directed by Mervyn LeRoy and starring Ronald Colman and Greer Garson. The film tells the story of Captain John Smith (Colman), a British officer who suffers from amnesia after being shell-shocked during the war. He regains his memory while living under a false identity in a small English village, and discovers the romance he left behind. With the help of a sympathetic psychiatrist, Smith slowly pieces together his past life, reconnecting with his former love (Garson) and reclaiming the life he left behind. His restored identity is threatened, however, by the re-emergence of his military past. In the end, Smith is able to reconcile his two lives and move on with his wife and newfound family.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Angelina Jolie, Colm Feore, Amy Ryan, Gattlin Griffith
Rated R

Changeling is a 2008 drama film directed by Clint Eastwood, and starring Angelina Jolie. Set in 1928 Los Angeles, the film follows Christine Collins, a single mother who is left devastated when her nine-year-old son, Walter, mysteriously disappears. When the police force and local media are unable to help, Christine desperately turns to a high-ranking city official, and it is then that a boy claiming to be Walter is returned to her. Although Christine is elated, she quickly realizes that the boy is not her son. When she insists that he is not Walter, she is labeled as an unfit mother and institutionalized against her will. With the help of a crusading reverend, Christine embarks on a quest to expose the truth and ultimately reunite with her son.

From Paul Greengrass, starring Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Joan Allen, Brian Cox
Rated PG-13

The Bourne Supremacy is the second installment in the Bourne film series starring Matt Damon as Jason Bourne. The story follows Bourne as he struggles to piece together his past while trying to evade operatives who are assigned to either capture or kill him. When Bourne is framed for a botched CIA operation in India, he is forced to take matters into his own hands, running through various cities in Europe. He eventually learns the truth about his past and is pitted against his former mentor, Alexander Conklin (Chris Cooper), and a dangerous assassin, Kirill (Karl Urban). In the end, Bourne emerges victorious, learning the truth of his identity and purpose.

From Alex Proyas, starring Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, William Hurt
Rated R

Dark City is a 1998 sci-fi film directed by Alex Proyas. It follows John Murdoch, an amnesiac man who wakes up in a strange hotel with no memory of who he is or where he came from. Soon, however, he discovers that he possesses special mental powers that enable him to manipulate reality. He is pursued by a group of mysterious men called the Strangers, who manipulate the city and its inhabitants to suit their own mysterious designs. John eventually learns that he is from a parallel universe and his true identity is a powerful being called an "Emergent." In order to survive, he must gain control of his abilities and confront the Strangers. The film is a mixture of classic film noir and science fiction, with dazzling visuals and a haunting score by composer Trevor Jones. Themes include identity, memory, and the nature of reality. Dark City is widely considered to be a cult classic and one of the most influential science fiction films of the 1990s.

From Aki Kaurismäki, starring Markku Peltola, Kati Outinen, Annikki Tähti, Juhani Niemelä
Rated PG-13

The Man Without a Past is a humorous and touching story set in Finland, following an amnesiac man (M) who, after being brutally attacked and left for dead, is taken in by a kindly elderly couple. With no memory of who he is or where he came from, M takes on a new identity and settles into his new home. As he slowly begins to build a new life for himself, he meets a cast of eccentric characters and experiences moments of joy, tragedy, and redemption. Through his journey, M learns to appreciate the simple pleasures in life and finds his place in a new community of friends.

From Paul Verhoeven, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, Rachel Ticotin
Rated R

Total Recall is a 1990 science fiction action film directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rachel Ticotin, Sharon Stone and Michael Ironside. The film follows construction worker Douglas Quaid, who is haunted by a recurring dream of journeying to Mars. He visits "Rekall", a company that provides its clients with implanted memories, but his procedure goes awry, and he discovers that his entire life is actually a false memory implanted by alien hosts. Quaid embarks on an action-packed journey to Mars to find the one man who can help him return to Earth and discover who he really is. Along the way, he encounters a variety of human and alien forces, who are each determined to prevent him from achieving his goal. The film was a commercial success and is now considered to be a science fiction classic.

From Sarah Polley, starring Julie Christie, Michael Murphy, Gordon Pinsent, Stacey LaBerge
Rated PG-13

Away from Her is a 2006 Canadian drama film directed by Sarah Polley and starring Julie Christie and Gordon Pinsent. The film follows a married couple, Fiona and Grant Anders, as Fiona's Alzheimer's disease progresses to a point where she can no longer remember her husband. With great difficulty, Grant decides to place Fiona in a nursing home. As Fiona's memories begin to fade, Grant is forced to confront his own mixed emotions about their separation as he struggles to find a way to stay connected with her. While at the nursing home, Fiona begins to develop a relationship with another resident, Aubrey, which further complicates Grant's already conflicted emotions. Despite the difficulties, Grant eventually finds a way to accept Fiona's illness and the changes it has brought to their lives.

From Directors: Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland, starring Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth
Rated PG-13

Still Alice is a 2014 American drama film written and directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland. The film stars Julianne Moore as Alice Howland, a linguistics professor diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease. Alice struggles to find her independence while her family adjusts to the disease’s impact. Kristen Stewart, Alec Baldwin, Kate Bosworth, and Hunter Parrish also star. Alice is a highly respected and successful linguistics professor who is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease. She and her family struggle to cope with the diagnosis and its implications for Alice's independence and future. As Alice's condition progresses, she strives to maintain her identity and memories and to find a way to stay connected with her loved ones. In the end, Alice's family and friends are there to help her and support her in her fight against the disease.

From Robert Rodriguez, starring Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Connelly, Mahershala Ali
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Andrew Stanton, Angus MacLane, starring Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O'Neill, Kaitlin Olson
Rated PG

From Scott Frank, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jeff Daniels, Matthew Goode, Isla Fisher
Rated R

From Frank Darabont, starring Jim Carrey, Martin Landau, Bob Balaban, Jeffrey DeMunn
Rated PG

From Danny Boyle, starring James McAvoy, Rosario Dawson, Vincent Cassel, Danny Sapani
Rated R

From Garry Marshall, starring Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Edward Herrmann, Katherine Helmond
Rated PG

From Kenneth Branagh, starring Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Andy Garcia, Lois Hall
Rated R

From Michael Sucsy, starring Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatum, Sam Neill, Jessica Lange
Rated PG-13

From Peter Segal, starring Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Rob Schneider, Sean Astin
Rated PG-13

From Jaume Collet-Serra, starring Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, January Jones, Aidan Quinn
Rated PG-13

From Wes Ball, starring Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Will Poulter, Thomas Brodie-Sangster
Rated PG-13

From Renny Harlin, starring Geena Davis, Samuel L. Jackson, Yvonne Zima, Craig Bierko
Rated R