Paycheck
A memory-erased engineer follows a trail of seemingly worthless objects to uncover why his future self sacrificed a fortune and made him a target.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- paranoid
- kinetic
- high concept
- action movie night
- science fiction marathon
What critics said
Critics found the Philip K. Dick premise intriguing but broadly judged the film's action-heavy execution shallow, clichéd, and less suspenseful than its concept promised.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Michael's erased future knowledge and the personal objects left for him guide actions that appear designed to prevent the predicted outcome.
The plot is driven by a billionaire's secret technological project, surveillance, engineered memory loss, and a powerful corporation operating above the law.
Michael must infer what he worked on and why he surrendered his enormous paycheck by studying unfamiliar personal effects.
The substitute belongings Michael receives after the erasure become practical tools and clues during his escape and investigation.
Films like Paycheck, and why
Minority Report
Shares a science fiction thriller premise involving altered memory, corporate conspiracy, and a protagonist trying to reconstruct hidden events.
The Island
Combines futuristic technology, paranoia thriller tension, action set pieces, and a protagonist pursued by powerful institutions.
Next
Shares a self-fulfilling prophecy structure, near-future conspiracy, and sleek action-oriented science fiction.
Movie Details
- Director
- John Woo
- Release Date
- 2003-12-25
- Runtime
- 119 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (2126)
Cast
- Ben Affleck
- Aaron Eckhart
- Uma Thurman
- Paul Giamatti
- Colm Feore
- Joe Morton
- Michael C. Hall
- Peter Friedman
- Kathryn Morris
- Ivana Miličević
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Paycheck about?
- A memory-erased engineer follows a trail of seemingly worthless objects to uncover why his future self sacrificed a fortune and made him a target.
- What is Paycheck like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Paycheck as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Paycheck violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Paycheck as moderate.
- What did critics think of Paycheck?
- Critics found the Philip K. Dick premise intriguing but broadly judged the film's action-heavy execution shallow, clichéd, and less suspenseful than its concept promised.
- Which films are like Paycheck?
- Films with a similar feel include Minority Report, The Island, and Next.
- How long is Paycheck?
- Paycheck runs 119 minutes.
- Where can I watch Paycheck?
- In United States, Paycheck is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
