Question
Men in Black publicity still

What device is used in "Men in Black" to erase memories?

Last updated: July 2, 2025

When you're part of a secret organization monitoring alien activity on Earth, you run into civilians who see things they absolutely shouldn't. The Men in Black can't let random people walk around New York telling everyone about the giant cockroach alien they saw crawling out of someone's skin, so they need a reliable way to make witnesses forget the whole thing ever happened. What device do Agents J and K use to wipe those inconvenient memories clean?

Correct Answer: Neuralyzer

(Source)

You know the drill: a flash of light, a vague excuse, and boom, that alien attack never happened. The Neuralyzer is the sleek silver gadget that Agent K waves around like a magic wand whenever civilians get too nosy about alien encounters. The device works by emitting a bright flash that scrambles recent memories, allowing the agents to plant new, less extraterrestrial explanations for whatever weirdness just went down. Introduced in the original 1997 film, it quickly became one of sci-fi’s coolest fictional gadgets. The prop became so iconic that toy versions hit store shelves, though those probably didn't come with the same memory-wiping capabilities.

Share This Trivia

Want More Nostalgia?

Check out our other quizzes and random trivia questions!