5.9
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Payback
1997·Movie
·1h 34min·
Payback fingerprint
High energy, strong craft, light on feelings.
Energy
Tense and thrilling
Fast from start to finish.
- Tension8
- Adrenaline7
- Fast Pace7
Heart
Emotionally reserved
- Melancholy6
- Catharsis6
- Family Dynamics6
Humor
A little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Dark Humor4
- Wit & Wordplay3
- Physical Comedy2
World
Everyday modern life, crime, and the mind
- World Immersion7
- Dialogue Centrality7
- Rewatchability7
Craft
Solid, not remarkable
- Intrigue8
- Acting7
- Narrative Structure7
Style
Functional look and sound
- Editing7
- Cinematography6
- Music Composition6
Energy
HighTense and thrilling
Fast from start to finish.
Payback is tense, thrilling, and fast-paced.
All energy traits
- Tension8Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Adrenaline7High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
- Violence7Physical conflict and intensity.
- Spectacle5Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Scare3Frightening moments and scares.
Related traits
- Bleakness7Grim, stark outlooks.
- Slow Burn6Gradual build with payoff.
Heart
LowEmotionally reserved
It keeps its emotions at a distance.
All heart traits
- Melancholy6Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Catharsis6Emotional release and payoff.
- Family Dynamics6Relationships and generational ties.
- Pathos5Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Romance4Love stories and emotional connections.
- Hopefulness3Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Nostalgia3Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Wonder2Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Wholesome1Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Coming of Age1Personal growth and self-discovery.
Related traits
- Bleakness7Grim, stark outlooks.
- Character Depth7Rich, complex characterization.
Humor
LowA little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect a little humor.
All humor traits
- Dark Humor4Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Wit & Wordplay3Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Physical Comedy2Slapstick and visual gags.
- Cringe Humor2Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Satire & Parody2Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Situational Comedy1Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Absurdist Humor1Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
World
MediumEveryday modern life, crime, and the mind
Its world is built around everyday modern life, crime, and the mind.
All world traits
- World Immersion7Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- Rewatchability7Invites repeat viewing.
- Novelty5Fresh ideas and invention.
- Ambiguity4Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Contemporary Realism9Modern, grounded storytelling.
- Crime8Heists, investigation, and underworld.
- Psychological7Inner worlds and mind games.
- Social Commentary7Perspectives on society and norms.
- Mystery6Whodunnits and unraveling secrets.
- Class & Capitalism6Wealth, power, and inequality.
Craft
HighSolid, not remarkable
The craft is serviceable rather than remarkable.
All craft traits
- Intrigue8Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Acting7Performance craft and presence.
- Narrative Structure7Story architecture and form.
- Character Depth7Rich, complex characterization.
- Complexity7Layered plots and ideas.
- Direction6Vision and command behind the camera.
- Dialogue Quality6Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Non-linear Narrative3Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative1Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
- Slow Burn6Gradual build with payoff.
- Novelty5Fresh ideas and invention.
Style
MediumFunctional look and sound
The look and sound stay functional.
All style traits
- Editing7Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Cinematography6Visual composition and camera work.
- Music Composition6Score and musical identity.
- Sound Centrality6Sound design as core element.
- Visual Stylization5Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Music Centrality5Songs central to storytelling.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- Spectacle5Scale and set-piece grandeur.
Who it's for
AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking
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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
One woman's stand against a maniac cop.
Kathryn runs a restaurant but one night she calls the police after she sees a suspicious man waiting in his car. However Kathryn sees one of the three police officers, Kaleen, assault the man with their sticks and kicking them. Under advice from Jack, the police internal investigator, she tells a court and Kaleen is put on suspension and kept to his rank for the rest of the career. However Kathryn gets weird phone calls, her son is arrested for murder and her teaching husband's career is threatened by checks on his record. All of this is because Kaleen is out for revenge and he plans to use the law and his friends in the police to do it. Only Kathryn, her family and Jack stands in his way.
Revenge ThrillerPolice CorruptionPsychological SuspenseIntense DramaCrime90s ThrillerMoral AmbiguityBleak Narrative
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:
Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about Payback
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is Payback worth watching?
63
DecentGoodWatch scoreOpinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 63/100 (IMDb 5.9 and Metacritic 100). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is Payback rated?
ViolenceStrong language
Content advisories: violence and strong language.
How long is Payback?
1 h 34 min
Payback runs 1 h 34 min.
Do critics and audiences agree on Payback?
Critics100
Audiences72
Not quite. Critics rate Payback higher (100) than audiences (72). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.
What language is Payback in?
English
It was made in English. Produced in United States.
In how many countries can I watch Payback?
12
GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Payback in 12 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
What tropes does Payback use?
What Happened to the Mouse?Kick the DogDisappointed by the MotiveHas a TypeChekhov's SkillPercussive PickpocketBulletproof Human ShieldThe StoicImprovised WeaponGuns AkimboAdaptational HeroismToken Motivational Nemesisand 79 more
TV Tropes lists 91 storytelling tropes for Payback, including What Happened to the Mouse?, Kick the Dog, Disappointed by the Motive.