Leonard Shelby is tracking down the man who raped and murdered his wife. The difficulty of his quest is compounded by his acute short-term memory loss, which prevents him from retaining any crucial clues or vital information. Aided by notes and tattoos, Shelby embarks on a journey down memory lane.

A murder mystery told through non-linear timelines, Christopher Nolan’s breakthrough film is now a fascinating example of a director discovering and refining career-long obsessions and techniques. But most importantly, Memento is endlessly inventive, perfectly calibrated, and emotionally rich.