Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
Alex, an assassin-for-hire, finds that he's become a target after he refuses to complete a job for a dangerous criminal organization. With the crime syndicate and FBI in hot pursuit, Alex has the skills to stay ahead, except for one thing: he is struggling with severe memory loss, affecting his every move. Alex must question his every action and whom he can ultimately trust.
Memory (2022) is a remake of the Belgian film The Memory of a Killer, starring Liam Neeson in his familiar aging-action-hero mode. The premise of an assassin with Alzheimer's has genuine dramatic potential and the film uses it reasonably well to generate tension and sympathy, giving the plot a slight edge above average. Neeson delivers a competent performance and Monica Bellucci adds presence, keeping the acting serviceable. However, the cinematography is largely functional and unremarkable, typical of mid-budget action thrillers with no distinctive visual identity. Novelty suffers significantly as it is an explicit remake with a well-worn Neeson action formula layered on top — little feels fresh or singular. The ending is predictable and ties up conventionally without much emotional resonance, landing below average for a premise that promised more pathos.