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

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Mar 13, 2024

Aside from Gibson, "Payback" is a wonderfully wretched hive of scum and villainy.

| Original Score: B | Sep 2, 2022

Unrelentingly paints a picture of murder, mayhem, and retribution that is both bold and entertaining.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Sep 24, 2020

Directed with panache and gritty authenticity by first-timer Brian Helgeland.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jun 4, 2020

| Original Score: B- | Apr 27, 2012

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Mar 16, 2012

| Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 16, 2012

A solid enough action comedy, albeit one that had a lot of potential to be wittier and darker.

| Jun 21, 2007

A tough, entertaining homage to the kind of gritty '70s crime film that long ago gave way to a slicker yet tamer form of action movie ... Both the studio's cut and Helgeland's cut work about equally well.

| Original Score: B | May 10, 2007

| Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 31, 2007

This is the seediest studio picture I've seen since TO LIVE OR DIE IN LA. Even the theater floor feels stickier while watching this thing unfold.

| Jun 25, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 2/10 | Jun 14, 2004

Payback has its moments and its thrills, but the payoff just isn't there.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Apr 13, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | May 20, 2003

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 8, 2003

Payback is just Die Hard: Without a Soul.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Dec 8, 2002

Demonstrates why Mel Gibson is a movie star: He can take mediocre material and through sheer willpower -- not to mention oodles of charm -- make it work.

| Nov 6, 2002

The movie squanders its energy on morbid levels of grisly, kinky violence, much of it sexual.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Oct 15, 2002

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Aug 21, 2002

A higher class of thriller.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Jun 18, 2002