Paycheck
Michael Jennings is a genius who's hired – and paid handsomely – by high-tech firms to work on highly sensitive projects, after which his short-term memory is erased so he's incapable of breaching security. But at the end of a three-year job, he's told he isn't getting a paycheck and instead receives a mysterious envelope. In it are clues he must piece together to find out why he wasn't paid – and why he's now in hot water.
Critics Sentiment
Jennings meets and flirts with biologist Dr. Rachel Porter during Allcom tour
Porter and Jennings discover microdot images showing future disasters from machine
The film's steepest decline occurs when the intriguing setup gives way to implausible action sequences and strained plot devices, with critics losing faith as the envelope items become too conveniently specific.
Paycheck starts strong with an intriguing Philip K. Dick premise that reviewers found compelling, but gradually loses steam as John Woo's direction shifts toward generic action. Critics consistently praised the high-concept setup but became increasingly frustrated with implausible plot devices, unconvincing romance, and action sequences that felt dated compared to contemporary films. The film maintains moderate entertainment value throughout but never fulfills the potential of its source material.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 46
Ben Affleck
Michael Jennings
Aaron Eckhart
James Rethrick
Uma Thurman
Rachel Porter
Paul Giamatti
Shorty
Colm Feore
John Wolfe
Joe Morton
Agent Dodge
Michael C. Hall
Agent Klein
Peter Friedman
Attorney General Brown
Kathryn Morris
Rita Dunne
Ivana Miličević
Maya-Rachel
Christopher Kennedy
Stevens
Fulvio Cecere
Agent Fuman
John Cassini
Agent Mitchell
Callum Keith Rennie
Jude
Michelle Harrison
Jane
Claudette Mink
Sara Rethrick
Ryan Zwick
Street Kid
Dee Jay Jackson
Guard
Serge Houde
William Dekker
Calvin Finlayson
Balloon Boy
Crew
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