Reality is optional in Total Recall (2012) — a sleek, high-concept sci-fi reboot that reimagines the classic tale of memory manipulation, rebellion, and identity crisis. With Colin Farrell in the lead role, the film dives deep into a future where implanted memories are indistinguishable from truth, and nothing — not even your past — can be trusted.
Think you remember what’s real and what’s Rekall? Take this 10-question trivia quiz and prove you haven’t had your mind wiped. Only the sharpest sci-fi fans will get a perfect score!
Total Recall (2012) Trivia Questions & Answers
- Who plays the role of Douglas Quaid in Total Recall (2012)?
Correct Answer: Colin Farrell
Colin Farrell takes over the role originally played by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1990 version. Farrell’s Quaid is more grounded and introspective, portraying a man tormented by confusion, false memories, and a reality that may not be his own.
- What service does the company Rekall offer?
Correct Answer: Implanted memories of experiences
Rekall is a company that allows customers to experience memories of things they’ve never actually done. These can range from vacations to spy missions. The catch? If you already have suppressed memories (like Quaid), the procedure can unlock dangerous truths.
- What is Quaid’s original identity before memory alteration?
Correct Answer: Carl Hauser
Douglas Quaid is actually Carl Hauser, a high-ranking agent who once worked for the oppressive government. His memories were altered to make him forget who he truly was. Whether he was a double agent or a traitor is left ambiguous, reinforcing the film’s theme of fractured identity.
- Who plays Lori, Quaid’s wife who turns out to be an undercover agent?
Correct Answer: Kate Beckinsale
Kate Beckinsale plays the ruthless and relentless Lori, a role that merges two characters from the original film. She initially poses as Quaid’s loving wife, but is quickly revealed to be a government operative assigned to monitor — and eventually eliminate — him.
- What is the name of the rebel leader fighting against the government?
Correct Answer: Matthias
Matthias, played by Bill Nighy, leads the resistance against the oppressive regime led by Cohaagen. He serves as a philosophical figure who believes in free will and truth, representing the human spirit in a world dominated by synthetic control.
- Where does most of the population live in the film’s dystopian future?
Correct Answer: The Colony
The Earth has become mostly uninhabitable due to chemical warfare, leaving only two habitable regions: The United Federation of Britain (UFB) and The Colony (formerly Australia). The working class lives in The Colony and commutes to the UFB via “The Fall.”
- What is “The Fall” in the film?
Correct Answer: A gravity elevator connecting both hemispheres of Earth
“The Fall” is a massive, high-speed transportation system that cuts through the Earth’s core, allowing workers from The Colony to travel to the UFB in minutes. It symbolizes both the literal and metaphorical divide between social classes.
- Who plays Melina, the resistance fighter and Quaid’s true ally?
Correct Answer: Jessica Biel
Jessica Biel plays Melina, a member of the resistance and Quaid’s love interest — both in his past and present life. She helps him rediscover who he is and fights alongside him to expose the truth and take down the government.
- Who is the main antagonist controlling the dystopian government?
Correct Answer: Cohagen
Cohagen, portrayed by Bryan Cranston, is the authoritarian chancellor of the UFB. He seeks to invade The Colony and wipe out the resistance. His manipulative control over identity, memory, and the media makes him a classic dystopian villain.
- What major theme is explored in Total Recall (2012)?
Correct Answer: Identity and the nature of reality
The film delves deep into questions of personal identity, memory, and free will. If your memories aren’t real, are you still the same person? If reality can be rewritten, how do you know what’s true? These themes drive Quaid’s journey and leave the audience questioning what to believe — even by the end.
