You know the drill by now. Liam Neeson, a gun, and a very specific set of skills. We’ve seen him save his daughter, save a plane, and even save a train. So, when the memory movie Liam Neeson starred in—officially titled Memory—hit theaters in 2022, most people just assumed it was Taken with a medical bracelet.
But honestly? It’s weirder than that.
The movie didn’t just follow the "angry dad" blueprint. It actually tried to do something with the concept of mortality, even if the final product felt a little bit like a puzzle with three missing pieces. If you’ve seen it on a streaming service lately and wondered why the vibe felt so different from his usual stuff, there’s a reason for that.
The Hitman Who Forgets: What Is Memory Actually About?
Basically, Neeson plays Alex Lewis. He’s an expert assassin based in El Paso, but he’s got a massive problem: he’s in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. His brother is already a "mental vegetable" in a care facility, and Alex knows he’s next.
He wants out.
But in the movie world, you can’t just give two weeks' notice to a crime syndicate. He’s forced into one last job, but he draws the line when he realizes the target is a 12-year-old girl. Suddenly, the hitman is the hero—sorta. He starts hunting the people who hired him while an FBI agent, played by a very intense Guy Pearce, tries to figure out why bodies are dropping all over the Texas-Mexico border.
It's dark.
The whole "writing notes on his arm" thing is a total nod to Memento, which is hilarious because Guy Pearce (the star of Memento) is literally in this movie watching Neeson do it.
It’s Actually a Remake (And Most People Missed the Original)
One thing that kinda gets lost in the shuffle is that this isn't an original Hollywood script. It’s actually based on a Belgian book called De Zaak Alzheimer by Jef Geeraerts.
There was a Belgian film back in 2003 called The Memory of a Killer (or The Alzheimer Case) that did this whole story first. If you talk to hardcore cinephiles, they’ll tell you the original is way better because it’s more of a "soul-crushing thriller" and less of a "Liam Neeson shoots people in a gym" movie.
Martin Campbell directed the 2022 version. This is the guy who gave us Casino Royale and GoldenEye. You’d think with Campbell and Neeson, it would be a total slam dunk, right?
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Well, the critics didn't think so. It sits at about 29% on Rotten Tomatoes. People felt it was a bit "sleepy" and "convoluted." But if you’re a fan of the genre, it’s still better than some of the direct-to-video stuff Neeson has been churning out lately, like Blacklight.
The Cast is Low-Key Incredible
Usually, these late-career Neeson flicks have a bunch of "who is 그 사람?" actors. Memory actually brought some heavy hitters to the table:
- Guy Pearce: He plays Vincent Serra, the FBI agent. He’s frustrated, he’s tired, and he’s basically the moral compass of the movie.
- Monica Bellucci: She plays Davana Sealman, a high-end real estate mogul who is basically the "Big Bad." Honestly, she could have used more screen time. She mostly just looks rich and evil in dark rooms.
- Ray Stevenson: He plays a detective. It’s always good to see Stevenson (RIP), even if his character feels a bit like a stock type.
The movie cost about $30 million to make but only pulled in around $14 million worldwide. That's a "flop" by Hollywood standards, which is probably why you see it popping up on Prime Video or Netflix so often now. They're trying to recoup that cash.
Why Does This Movie Still Matter in 2026?
Look, it’s now 2026. Liam Neeson is still making movies (he just won a Critics Choice Award for The Naked Gun reboot, which is wild). But Memory stands out because it was the first time he actually looked... old. And that was the point.
The film acknowledges that his "particular set of skills" can't fix a failing brain. There’s a scene where he forgets where he put his car keys right after killing someone. It’s uncomfortable. It makes you realize that the "Neeson-verse" has a shelf life.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think this is a "revenge" movie. It’s not, really. It’s more of a "clean up my mess before I forget who I am" movie. Alex isn't trying to save the world; he’s trying to make sure the right people get punished before his brain turns to static.
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The ending is pretty bleak, too. No spoilers, but don't expect a Taken style "everyone goes home for ice cream" finish.
Should You Watch It?
If you want a masterpiece? No.
If you want a solid Friday night movie with a beer and some popcorn? Yeah, it works.
How to get the most out of it:
- Watch the original first: If you can find The Memory of a Killer (2003), watch that to see how the story was originally intended.
- Pay attention to the border politics: The movie touches on some heavy stuff regarding human trafficking and ICE that actually feels pretty relevant today.
- Don't expect John Wick: The action is slow. It’s meant to feel heavy.
If you’re tracking Neeson's career trajectory, this is the pivot point. It’s where the "invincible hero" started to show some real cracks.
Check your local streaming listings to see if it’s currently on Prime Video or Paramount+, as it’s been bouncing around the charts lately due to the success of Neeson's newer comedy work.
Next Steps for Film Fans
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If you found the memory-loss aspect of this film compelling, you should look into the 2003 Belgian original The Alzheimer Case to compare the tone. Alternatively, if you want to see Martin Campbell's better work, revisit The Foreigner with Jackie Chan, which handles the "aging man with a grudge" theme with much tighter pacing.