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Psychological Concepts in the Memento Film: Telescoping, Amnesia, and Anthropomorphism Essay

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Introduction

Memento is a strange but enjoyable movie about an unfortunate man in an unstable mental state with no memory. In the movie, the main character tries to figure out his past and find his killer. The movie is a psychological thriller, and some psychological terms are worth looking at in more detail. Different psychological states can describe several movie patterns, such as telescoping, amnesia, and anthropomorphism.

Telescoping

One of the psychological terms used in Memento is telescoping, which describes a state in which the past and present are fused and blended together. The film’s main character, who has no memories, goes through this stage. He is unable to comprehend his current location or the events taking place. To comprehend what is happening, he constantly attempts to make connections between the past and the present.

Amnesia

The second psychological condition that can relate to the movie Memento is amnesia. This condition causes the sufferer to lose all memory of the past. The movie’s lead character suffers from amnesia, making it impossible for him to recollect his background or figure out the murder mystery. He tries to detect and remember the past using memory cues.

Anthropomorphism

The third psychological term that can be used for the movie is anthropomorphism. A person could be in this state when they believe something to be more alive than it actually is. In the film Memento, the main character gives his memory cards and other items with living characteristics. He uses them to understand what is happening at the moment.

Conclusion

The movie Memento uses various psychological terms that help to better understand the state of the main character. Telescoping describes the blending of the past and present, amnesia implies the inability to remember the past, and anthropomorphism implies the attribution of living traits to objects. In turn, these terms help to better understand the film Memento and the main character overall.

Reference

Nolan, C. (Director). (2000). Memento [Film]. Newmarket Films.

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IvyPanda. (2026, February 2). Psychological Concepts in the Memento Film: Telescoping, Amnesia, and Anthropomorphism. https://ivypanda.com/essays/psychological-concepts-in-the-memento-film-telescoping-amnesia-and-anthropomorphism/

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"Psychological Concepts in the Memento Film: Telescoping, Amnesia, and Anthropomorphism." IvyPanda, 2 Feb. 2026, ivypanda.com/essays/psychological-concepts-in-the-memento-film-telescoping-amnesia-and-anthropomorphism/.

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IvyPanda. (2026) 'Psychological Concepts in the Memento Film: Telescoping, Amnesia, and Anthropomorphism'. 2 February.

References

IvyPanda. 2026. "Psychological Concepts in the Memento Film: Telescoping, Amnesia, and Anthropomorphism." February 2, 2026. https://ivypanda.com/essays/psychological-concepts-in-the-memento-film-telescoping-amnesia-and-anthropomorphism/.

1. IvyPanda. "Psychological Concepts in the Memento Film: Telescoping, Amnesia, and Anthropomorphism." February 2, 2026. https://ivypanda.com/essays/psychological-concepts-in-the-memento-film-telescoping-amnesia-and-anthropomorphism/.


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IvyPanda. "Psychological Concepts in the Memento Film: Telescoping, Amnesia, and Anthropomorphism." February 2, 2026. https://ivypanda.com/essays/psychological-concepts-in-the-memento-film-telescoping-amnesia-and-anthropomorphism/.

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