The 'masterpiece' thriller with incredible plot twist now streaming on Prime

Twenty-five years since its release, Christopher Nolan's Memento (2000) remains celebrated for its experimental storytelling. The film stars Guy Pearce as Leonard Shelby, a man suffering from short-term memory loss from a head injury after his wife's murder. He is trying to find her killer, but since he forgets things almost immediately, he uses notes, Polaroid photos, and tattoos on his body to remember important clues. The twist is that the story is told backwards, so events are seen in reverse order. This puts the viewer in Leonard's shoes, making the mystery feel confusing and suspenseful, just like he experiences it.

According to critics, the fractured narrative makes Memento a complex detective thriller. In the past, Memento has received widespread acclaim. It holds a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers praising its originality and complexity. Wall Street Journal's Top Critic Joe Morgenstern said, "I can't remember when a movie has seemed so clever, strangely affecting and slyly funny at the very same time."

Memento is one of those jigsaw puzzles whose pieces snap together more tightly with each viewing. Fueling it all is a performance by Guy Pearce that's as indelible as the tattoo ink covering his body," wrote Entertainment Weekly. The film's success also led to Academy Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing, highlighting the director's reputation as a visionary director.

Despite the film's success, the actor Guy Pearce has expressed dissatisfaction with his performance. In a candid interview with The Times, Pearce said: "I watched 'Memento' the other day and I'm still depressed. I'm s-t in that movie".

However, many critics and fans continue to regard his performance as a pivotal element of the film's success.

Viewers in the UK can now stream Memento for free on Channel 4. You can also see it for free if you have Amazon Prime, or rent it for £1.99 on Apple TV.