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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AV Club

Rated: B-

Apr 27, 2012

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Linda Barnard

Toronto Star

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 16, 2012

Full Review

Rick Groen

Globe and Mail

Rated: 3/4

Mar 16, 2012

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

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

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 13, 2024

Full Review

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

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Mark B

Typical 90s action. Not the best Mel Gibson vehicle but it is entertaining and worth a watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/24/24

Full Review

Jerod S

Mel wants his cut of the money and he isn't gonna let a couple of bullets slow him down. It's 90s fodder - nothing special.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/22/24

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Uynga U

the role really suits him

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/25/24

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Bahad j

This idea of the film shooting technique director made the film more attractive to people.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/24/24

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Brant C

Payback, has some of the best characters, an original storyline, and memorable scenes that you'll be recalling for years after watching it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/13/24

Full Review

Alec B

An ugly and meandering revenge thriller. That isn't totally a bad thing but the movie has no consistency, especially with the weirdly happy ending.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/15/24

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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