Hugh Jackman sci-fi movie with divisive Rotten Tomatoes score lands on Netflix today

As Hugh Jackman flies high from his turn in Deadpool & Wolverine, Netflix has added a divisive thriller starring the X-Men actor to its library. 

Jackman is one of the longest-running Marvel movie actors of all time (well, the second-most now), but his portrayal of Wolverine is far from the only trick up his sleeve. 

He’s also known for musicals such as Les Misérables and The Greatest Showman, as well as a number of non-franchise titles, one of which is the 2021 flick Reminiscence.

As of today (August 6) the sci-fi movie, which also stars Dune’s Rebecca Ferguson, is available for streaming on Netflix in the US. 

Directed by Westworld co-creator Lisa Joy, Reminiscence is set in a dystopian future where people escape their harsh realities by reliving cherished memories. 

Jackman stars as Nick Bannister, a private investigator of the mind whose life changes when he encounters Mae (Ferguson), leading him to uncover dark truths about their world and himself.

Despite its intriguing premise, Reminiscence didn’t exactly go down well with audiences and critics alike, earning a respective 37% and 36% on Rotten Tomatoes. 

As said by Ready Steady Cut, “While Jackman and Ferguson are excellent here, Reminiscence is a watered-down sci-fi neo-noir that overstays its welcome by wallowing in a romance that loses steam fast.”

Elsewhere, the Guardian described it as “a thinly plotted noir that shamelessly cribs from the Christopher Nolan playbook,” and that it “has flashes of intrigue but crumbles under its own influences.”

Of the more favorable reviews, Elements of Madness wrote, “There are layers upon layers in Reminiscence which imply incredible thought and planning on Joy’s part, most of which come together in a solid and satisfying way.”

Viewers were equally divided, with one writing, “Acting fine. Production fine. Poorly executed story led to boredom. Not worth it to be honest.”

On the other side of the fence, a second said, “Loved the fresh take on the film noir. Beautifully shot! Rebecca Ferguson is so underrated.”

Unfortunately for the creators, Reminiscence was a box office bomb when it first released, earning just over $16 million worldwide against an estimated $54 million budget.

However, now it’s available on Netflix, there’s all the chance we’ll see it crop up on the streaming service’s Top 10 chart over the next few days. 

For more fresh content, check out the new movies heading to streaming this month, as well as the TV shows to add to your watchlist. You can also find our roundup of the best films of 2024 so far and our ranking of the top action flicks.