Because the movie invents Sharon Stone right before our eyes.

If nominal love interest Rachel Ticotin can’t ultimately live up to the ”Athletic-Sleazy-Demure” line, it’s only because Total Recall features a supporting turn by an actress who’s whole career would be defined by that weird mix of gender norms. It’s fascinating to see how Sharon Stone shades her performance as ”Lori,” Quaid’s wife-or-maybe-not. The character is, variously, an adoring sitcom wife, a coldblooded killer, and a winking seductress — usually in the same scene.

You could argue that Stone is just eye candy, but the movie is up to something more subtle: Just like in Stone’s iconic turn in Recall director Paul Verhoeven’s Basic Instinct, the character’s beauty is also her sharpest weapon. Sorry, did we say subtle? When Stone is revealed as a traitor, she punches Schwarzenegger hard in the crotch. Then, lest you miss the point, she kicks him in the crotch, too.