Memento
Memento chronicles two separate stories of Leonard, an ex-insurance investigator who can no longer build new memories, as he attempts to find the murderer of his wife, which is the last thing he remembers. One story line moves forward in time while the other tells the story backwards revealing more each time.
Despite its tight budget of $9.0M, Memento became a box office success, earning $40.0M worldwide—a 345% return. The film's unique voice resonated with audiences, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Nominated for 2 Oscars. 57 wins & 59 nominations
Roger Ebert
"Memento is a movie largely about memory—the ways in which it defines identity, how it's necessary to determine moral behavior and yet how terribly vulnerable it is."Read Full Review
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Memento (2000) demonstrates carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Christopher Nolan's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 53 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 5.7, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Leonard shoots Teddy in an abandoned building. The Polaroid develops in reverse, establishing the film's backward narrative structure and Leonard's world of fragmented memory and revenge.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Leonard discovers he's staying at the Discount Inn, not the Motel 6. His car has vanished. His system has failed him—someone is manipulating his reality, and he can't trust his own records.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The Collapse moment at 75 minutes (67% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The devastating revelation: Leonard already killed the real attacker a year ago. Teddy reveals Leonard has been manipulated repeatedly. Worse—the Sammy Jankis story is actually Leonard's own. He killed his wife with insulin overdoses. Everything is a lie., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 72% of the runtime. Leonard makes the horrifying choice: "I'm not a killer... I'm just someone who wanted to be." He deliberately writes down Teddy's license plate as "John G." and creates false evidence, consciously choosing delusion over truth., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Memento's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Memento against these established plot points, we can identify how Christopher Nolan utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Memento within the drama genre.
Christopher Nolan's Structural Approach
Among the 12 Christopher Nolan films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Memento takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Christopher Nolan filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Christopher Nolan analyses, see Batman Begins, Insomnia and Tenet.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Leonard shoots Teddy in an abandoned building. The Polaroid develops in reverse, establishing the film's backward narrative structure and Leonard's world of fragmented memory and revenge.
Theme
Teddy tells Leonard: "You don't want the truth. You make up your own truth." This encapsulates the film's exploration of self-deception, memory manipulation, and the stories we tell ourselves.
Worldbuilding
Leonard's system of tattoos, Polaroids, and notes is revealed. His anterograde amnesia is explained. We meet Natalie (hostile barmaid) and see Leonard's methodical but confused investigation into his wife's murder.
Disruption
Leonard discovers he's staying at the Discount Inn, not the Motel 6. His car has vanished. His system has failed him—someone is manipulating his reality, and he can't trust his own records.
Resistance
Leonard struggles to piece together what's happening. The Sammy Jankis story is told in B&W flashbacks—Leonard's insurance investigation of another amnesiac. Natalie appears helpful but suspicious. Leonard debates whether he can trust anyone.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The "fun and games" of memory investigation. Leonard hunts for John G. using his elaborate system. Reveals of the backward structure create mystery and suspense. Sammy Jankis story deepens. Leonard's detective work seems to be making progress.
Opposition
Cracks appear in Leonard's reality. Teddy plants doubts. Natalie's manipulation becomes clearer in reverse. The Sammy Jankis story reveals darker implications. Leonard's system is shown to be fundamentally corruptible by his own choices.
Collapse
The devastating revelation: Leonard already killed the real attacker a year ago. Teddy reveals Leonard has been manipulated repeatedly. Worse—the Sammy Jankis story is actually Leonard's own. He killed his wife with insulin overdoses. Everything is a lie.
Crisis
Leonard processes the truth that his entire crusade is self-deception. He confronts the choice: accept reality and live with unbearable guilt, or continue the lie. The darkest moment of existential crisis.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Leonard makes the horrifying choice: "I'm not a killer... I'm just someone who wanted to be." He deliberately writes down Teddy's license plate as "John G." and creates false evidence, consciously choosing delusion over truth.
Synthesis
The narrative circles back to the opening. Leonard executes his self-designed vengeance against Teddy, armed with deliberately falsified evidence. He completes the cycle he's doomed to repeat forever, choosing comfortable lies over painful truth.
Transformation
Final B&W sequence reaches color: Leonard lies in bed with his wife, happy. He blinks—she's gone. This mirrors the opening murder but reveals transformation: Leonard hasn't healed or found truth; he's perfected self-deception as a lifestyle. Tragic negative arc complete.