In the late 21st century, a construction worker named Douglas Quaid is haunted by recurring dreams of Mars and a mysterious woman. Despite leading a seemingly ordinary life on Earth with his loving wife, Lori, Quaid's fascination with the Red Planet consumes him. In search of answers and adventure, he visits Rekall, a company that implants artificial memories, to experience the thrill of Mars as a secret agent. However, the procedure goes awry, and Quaid's mind is overwhelmed by supposedly fake memories of being a real spy. As the lines between reality and fantasy blur, Quaid's life is turned upside down when he finds out that people around him, including his wife, may not be who they seem. He is suddenly thrust into a web of espionage and deceit involving Mars' colonial governance.

Forced to flee for his life, Quaid embarks on a perilous journey to unlock the truth about his identity, discovering that his dreams may hold more significance than he ever imagined. His quest leads him to the actual Martian colony, plagued by socio-political unrest and a rebellion against the ruthless corporate governance controlling the air supply. As Quaid navigates the dangerous Martian landscape, he must figure out which of his memories are real and whom he can trust. Along the way, he encounters an array of characters that challenge his understanding of his past, his purpose, and his very existence.