Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
The line is blunt travel advice from yourself, and it works because the film makes you wonder whether the man on the tape is a friend or a trap. It is also the cleanest summary of the film's plot hook: a man told to go to Mars by a version of himself he cannot remember. Fans shout it as a joke command to anyone who is stalling, and it is among the most repeated Schwarzenegger lines.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Total RecallShow the scene
In Total Recall (1990), a stranger gives Quaid a suitcase that holds supplies and a video recording. On it, a man introduces himself as Hauser, Quaid's former self, a Cohaagen ally who defected and was brainwashed into becoming Quaid. Hauser tells Quaid how to remove a tracking device from his own head, then gives him the plan: go to Mars, check in at the Hilton and flash the Brubaker ID at the desk. Quaid follows it, and it leads him to Mars, Melina and Venusville.
Sources (3)
- Total Recall (1990 film), Wikipedia: plotPlotReference checked
- Total Recall (1990 film), WikiquoteCarl Hauser recording sceneReference checked
- Total Recall (1990) script transcript, Springfield! Springfield!The recording sceneReference checked
Context reviewed
