Payback

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2:20

Payback

R

Released Feb 5, 1999

1h 41m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

56%

Tomatometer

78 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Porter (Mel Gibson) is a thief betrayed by both his wife, Lynn (Deborah Kara Unger), and his partner, Val (Gregg Henry), when he is shot in the back after a heist. Slowly, Porter recovers from his wounds and begins a search for Val, intent on recovering his share of the money they stole together. With the aid of prostitute Rosie (Maria Bello), Porter captures Val but still cannot find his cash. For this, Porter will have to challenge an imposing crime syndicate called the Outfit.

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Critics Consensus

Sadistic violence and rote humor saddle a predictable action premise.

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Jeff Strickler

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Demonstrates why Mel Gibson is a movie star: He can take mediocre material and through sheer willpower -- not to mention oodles of charm -- make it work.

Nov 6, 2002

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Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

A higher class of thriller.

Rated: 4/4

Jun 18, 2002

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Liam Lacey

Globe and Mail

It quickly slides into a Lethal Weapon without Danny Glover, complete with blowups and wisecracks, gratuitous torture scenes and Gibson in familiar form as the twinkling rascal who makes a virtue out of viciousness.

Rated: 2/4

Mar 22, 2002

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a somewhat erratic yet predominantly engrossing endeavor...

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 13, 2024

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Aside from Gibson, "Payback" is a wonderfully wretched hive of scum and villainy.

Rated: B

Sep 2, 2022

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Unrelentingly paints a picture of murder, mayhem, and retribution that is both bold and entertaining.

Rated: 8/10

Sep 24, 2020

Full Review

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Noel L

This felt like John Wick meets The Equalizer. I'll be honest, I kind of didn't want Mel Gibson to win. But all in all a good action thriller

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/26/25

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Dustin S

There is actually 2 different versions of this film Director's Cut which I find the ending not quite as good, and then there is the standard version with a different ending to the Directors Cut. The Standard Version is much more interesting ending to the film. If your going to watch this movie try and find the standard version not the director's cut I feel it loses something with that ending.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/19/25

Full Review

Steven M

Point Blank, which runs a similar line, is better…much better.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/25/25

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steve d

Fun little movie. Not spectacular but i definitely don't regret watching it. Prime Mel Gibson. I liked the vibe

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/05/25

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Lanfranco C

A no bad dark crime movie

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/20/25

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Brad M

It's worth watching. Not spectacular, but fun. I like the early 90"s vibe.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/07/24

Full Review

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Brian Helgeland

Director

Mel Gibson

Porter

Gregg Henry

Val Resnick

Maria Bello

Rosie

Deborah Kara Unger

Mrs. Lynn Porter

David Paymer

Arthur Stegman

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Payback: Trailer 1

2:20

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Synopsis

Porter (Mel Gibson) is a thief betrayed by both his wife, Lynn (Deborah Kara Unger), and his partner, Val (Gregg Henry), when he is shot in the back after a heist. Slowly, Porter recovers from his wounds and begins a search for Val, intent on recovering his share of the money they stole together. With the aid of prostitute Rosie (Maria Bello), Porter captures Val but still cannot find his cash. For this, Porter will have to challenge an imposing crime syndicate called the Outfit.

Director: Brian Helgeland
Producer: Bruce Davey
Screenwriter: Donald E. Westlake, Brian Helgeland, Terry Hayes
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Icon Entertainment International
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 5, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $81.5M
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround

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