Memory
Alex Lewis (Liam Neeson) is an expert assassin with a reputation for discreet precision. Caught in a moral quagmire, Alex refuses to complete a job that violates his code and must quickly hunt down and kill the people who hired him before they and FBI agent Vincent Serra (Guy Pearce) find him first. Alex is built for revenge but, with a memory that is beginning to falter, he is forced to question his every action, blurring the line between right and wrong.
The film box office disappointment against its respectable budget of $30.0M, earning $13.9M globally (-54% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unique voice within the action genre.
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%)
Memory (2022) exhibits strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Martin Campbell's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 54 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Alex Lewis
Vincent Serra
Linda Amistead
Davana Sealman
Hugo
Beatriz Leon
Main Cast & Characters
Alex Lewis
Played by Liam Neeson
A skilled assassin suffering from Alzheimer's disease who refuses to kill a child and becomes a target himself.
Vincent Serra
Played by Guy Pearce
An FBI agent investigating a sex trafficking ring who crosses paths with Alex.
Linda Amistead
Played by Taj Atwal
Vincent's FBI partner working to uncover corruption and protect the innocent.
Davana Sealman
Played by Monica Bellucci
A powerful businesswoman connected to the trafficking operation that Alex targets.
Hugo
Played by Ray Stevenson
Alex's handler and contact in the assassination business who turns against him.
Beatriz Leon
Played by Mia Sanchez
A young girl who becomes the target Alex refuses to kill, sparking the entire conflict.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Alex Lewis executes a contract kill in El Paso with cold precision, establishing him as a highly skilled professional assassin operating in the border region criminal underworld.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Alex is given a contract to kill thirteen-year-old Beatriz, a trafficking victim who can identify powerful people. He refuses to kill a child, crossing an unforgivable line with his employers and making himself a target.. At 12% 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 First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to After Beatriz is killed by another assassin, Alex makes the irreversible choice to hunt down everyone connected to the child trafficking ring, transforming from passive refusal to active vengeance., moving from reaction to action.
At 57 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Alex discovers that wealthy businesswoman Davana Sealman is the mastermind behind the trafficking ring and has connections to the highest levels of power. The true scope of corruption is revealed, making his mission far more dangerous., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Alex suffers a severe memory episode during a critical moment, forgetting where he is and what he's doing. He realizes his mind is failing faster than anticipated, and he may not live long enough to complete his mission or see justice done., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 91 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Alex chooses to make his remaining time count. He contacts Vincent Serra and offers to help the FBI take down Davana, combining his insider knowledge with their legal authority - vigilante and lawman united., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Memory's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Memory against these established plot points, we can identify how Martin Campbell utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Memory within the action genre.
Martin Campbell's Structural Approach
Among the 12 Martin Campbell films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Memory takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Martin Campbell filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Martin Campbell analyses, see Green Lantern, Dirty Angels and The Mask of Zorro.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Alex Lewis executes a contract kill in El Paso with cold precision, establishing him as a highly skilled professional assassin operating in the border region criminal underworld.
Theme
Alex's brother comments on his forgetfulness, asking "How can you do your job if you can't remember?" - foreshadowing that memory and identity are inseparable, and questioning how long Alex can maintain his life.
Worldbuilding
The world of professional contract killing is established alongside the FBI's child exploitation task force. Alex receives instructions from handlers while Agent Vincent Serra investigates a trafficking ring connected to wealthy Texan elites.
Disruption
Alex is given a contract to kill thirteen-year-old Beatriz, a trafficking victim who can identify powerful people. He refuses to kill a child, crossing an unforgivable line with his employers and making himself a target.
Resistance
Alex grapples with the consequences of his refusal. His employers send another assassin to complete the job and eliminate Alex. He debates whether to disappear or take action, while his memory issues become more apparent.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
After Beatriz is killed by another assassin, Alex makes the irreversible choice to hunt down everyone connected to the child trafficking ring, transforming from passive refusal to active vengeance.
Mirror World
FBI Agent Vincent Serra's investigation becomes the thematic counterpoint to Alex's vigilante crusade. Both men seek justice for exploited children, but through opposite means - law versus lethal action.
Premise
Alex systematically eliminates members of the trafficking network while leaving clues for the FBI. He uses his assassin skills for righteous purpose, racing against his deteriorating memory to complete his mission of vengeance.
Midpoint
Alex discovers that wealthy businesswoman Davana Sealman is the mastermind behind the trafficking ring and has connections to the highest levels of power. The true scope of corruption is revealed, making his mission far more dangerous.
Opposition
Alex's Alzheimer's accelerates as he pursues Davana. He must write notes to himself to remember his targets. The FBI closes in while Davana's security forces hunt him. His window of lucidity narrows with each passing day.
Collapse
Alex suffers a severe memory episode during a critical moment, forgetting where he is and what he's doing. He realizes his mind is failing faster than anticipated, and he may not live long enough to complete his mission or see justice done.
Crisis
Alex confronts the terrifying reality of losing himself. He struggles to maintain focus on his purpose while his memories slip away. The weight of his life as a killer and his coming oblivion press down on him.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Alex chooses to make his remaining time count. He contacts Vincent Serra and offers to help the FBI take down Davana, combining his insider knowledge with their legal authority - vigilante and lawman united.
Synthesis
Alex and Serra execute a plan to expose and eliminate Davana Sealman and her network. Alex uses his final moments of clarity to ensure the trafficking ring is destroyed and the survivors are saved, achieving redemption through sacrifice.
Transformation
Alex, his mission complete, accepts his fate with peace. The man who began as a cold killer ends as someone who sacrificed everything to protect the innocent. His memory fades, but his final act of redemption endures.