Many films have explored themes of captivity since the release of Misery, where a writer is imprisoned by a crazed admirer. While the protagonist’s background or gender might differ, the antagonist often remains a woman with unyielding convictions.
Remember Me evokes memories of Misery and the chilling yet lesser-known Besetment. However, this story pushes the concept further—captors no longer settle for imprisonment alone; they demand their victims bear children as well. Despite its potential on paper, the movie’s lackluster execution drains any sense of urgency or suspense.
The repeated shots of the house’s exterior, which appears pleasant rather than ominous, do little to foster tension. For those who find the film unwatchable, skipping to the final minutes might suffice. A recap conveniently summarizes the entire movie, a possible acknowledgment by the filmmakers that many viewers might lose patience or interest along the way.
Rose’s resilience shines as she uncovers the truth about her captors (Photo: Remember Me/Underground Films)The film includes puzzling moments, such as Rose and her friend filmed through a red filter, followed by a car crash implied off-screen. Rose later awakens without visible injuries but is paralyzed and suffering from memory loss.
An older woman introduces herself as Rose’s mother and lavishes her with care. She attributes Rose’s condition to amnesia, reassuring her it will improve gradually. As Rose begins to recall minor details, such as her tea preferences, she feels comforted by the apparent familiarity.
However, questions arise when her “mother” restricts her contact with friends, allowing only her supposed fiancé, Jamie, to visit. Rose struggles to reconcile her inability to recall an engagement and finds Jamie’s affectionate gestures unsettling.
Suspicion grows when Rose observes increasingly bizarre behavior from her mother, including eerie nighttime rituals and unwarranted injections. An argument escalates when Rose spits toothpaste into her bathwater, prompting a violent reaction.
Determined to escape, Rose feigns compliance, cleverly orchestrating a moment to access her hidden phone. She contacts her friend Nikki, who reveals shocking truths: the woman posing as her mother is actually a neighbor, and Jamie is a stranger.
Confronted by her captors, Rose learns their unsettling motives. The woman yearns for a child, and Jamie, her biological son, was part of a disturbing plan to impregnate Rose.
When the scheme falters, they resort to a backup method involving stored sperm. Rose resists fiercely, spilling the contents onto her captor before enduring a physical altercation. Using resourcefulness, she incapacitates Jamie and delivers a fatal blow to her “mother” with a toothbrush.
Despite her injuries, she maneuvers her wheelchair to stage a daring escape. The climactic moment sees Rose dragging her captor down the stairs, ultimately freeing herself as Nikki arrives in time to save her.
The final scene shows Rose gazing at a bleak seascape, hinting at a somber outlook. Despite competent performances from the cast, the film suffers from uninspired writing that borrows heavily from Misery, Run, and Besetment. Its failure to maintain suspense, paired with unnecessary sequences of the house, results in a frustrating viewing experience.
