Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- dreamy
- witty
- wistful
- late night viewing
- indie romance night
What critics said
Critics broadly recognized the film's polished, striking visual style and gentle romantic charm, while finding its protagonist, editing, sexual objectification, and philosophical pretensions shallow or problematic.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Ben imagines stopping time in the supermarket so he can observe the people and moments around him as living artworks.
The late-night supermarket shift supplies Ben and his coworkers with the film's central social environment and comic situations.
Ben's artistic fascination with frozen bodies, especially women, is directly tied to his sexual fantasy and romantic pursuit of Sharon.
The film repeatedly uses frozen supermarket scenes and trick-shot imagery to visualize Ben's perception of stopped time.
Films like Cashback, and why
The Science of Sleep
shares a whimsical magical-realist treatment of romance, memory, and suspended time
The Rules of Attraction
shares an art-school milieu, dreamy visual imagination, and introspective romantic longing
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
shares a stylized romance shaped by loneliness, desire, and heightened visual fantasy
The Station Agent
shares an offbeat workplace setting, romantic awkwardness, and bittersweet comedy-drama tone
Movie Details
- Director
- Sean Ellis
- Release Date
- 2007-01-17
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (1452)
Cast
- Sean Biggerstaff
- Emilia Fox
- Shaun Evans
- Michael Dixon
- Michelle Ryan
- Stuart Goodwin
- Frank Hesketh
- Daphne Guinness
- Jay Bowen
- Irene Bagach
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel
- 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 Cashback about?
- An insomniac art student turns a London supermarket night shift into a gallery of frozen beauty while searching for emotional release and a new romance.
- What is Cashback like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Cashback as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Cashback violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Cashback.
- What did critics think of Cashback?
- Critics broadly recognized the film's polished, striking visual style and gentle romantic charm, while finding its protagonist, editing, sexual objectification, and philosophical pretensions shallow or problematic.
- Which films are like Cashback?
- Films with a similar feel include The Science of Sleep, The Rules of Attraction, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and The Station Agent.
- How long is Cashback?
- Cashback runs 102 minutes.
- Where can I watch Cashback?
- In United States, Cashback streams on Philo, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel.
