Ben Affleck’s 2003 Sci-Fi Movie Paycheck Is Trending on Netflix Again

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In 2003, Ben Affleck created a science fiction movie that has since fallen into obscurity. However, two decades later, this seldom-viewed film has become a streaming sensation on Netflix. Meanwhile, the actor, producer, and writer’s success continues with the latest installment of The Accountant, which earned $101 million globally during its theater release and is expected to be even more popular on streaming platforms.

It’s completely expected that Affleck would lead a thriller such as “The Accountant 2” given his past work in films like the original “Accountant“, “The Town“, “Argo“, and “Triple Frontier“. While science fiction movies, like the one he did in 2003, are not as common in his filmography, if we exclude sci-fi leaning comic book films such as “Justice League“, the genre is hardly present at all.

Affleck’s 2003 Science Fiction Movie Paycheck Is Trending On Netflix

The early Affleck starring vehicle was a modest hit

2003 found Affleck quite occupied, as he had three films hitting theaters that year. One of them was the science fiction movie “Paycheck,” currently popular on Netflix. Directed by the esteemed John Woo, this near-future thriller revolves around a reverse engineer (played by Affleck) performing clandestine work for tech companies, whose memory is wiped clean after each assignment. Following a highly confidential project involving advanced government technology, Affleck wakes up without his memory, only to find himself being chased, unaware of the reasons behind it.

22 years since it earned $117 million in cinemas, Affleck’s chase thriller Paycheck is being rediscovered on streaming platforms and is currently popular on Netflix, ranking at #5 on the platform’s self-reported global top ten list (according to Flixpatrol).

Our Take On Affleck’s Paycheck Resurfacing After 22 Years

It’s a good watch for fans of paranoid sci-fi thrillers

2003 saw Affleck’s less-than-stellar releases of films like Gigli and Daredevil, but his moderately successful Paycheck stood out as the best among them. The Woo-directed thriller, Paycheck, deserves a reevaluation more than the notorious flop Gigli or the failed superhero attempt Daredevil. It’s gratifying to observe new audiences discovering this film on Netflix and giving it another chance.

Affleck has primarily chosen dramatic and thriller roles throughout his career, with only a few forays into science fiction or horror films. It’s possible that the disappointing box office performance and harsh criticism of “Paycheck” made him less inclined to take on more futuristic projects. Alternatively, he may have felt comfortable in the genre of thrillers and dramas and saw no reason to return to science fiction.

The film “Paycheck” might have garnered more acclaim, considering its roots in a short story by Philip K. Dick, an author known for creating source material for several iconic films and blockbusters like the original “Total Recall” and Steven Spielberg’s “Minority Report.” However, some critics argue that the film suffered due to director John Woo’s penchant for excessive action, which they feel is incongruous with the story’s tone.

After filming “Paycheck” in Hollywood, Woo departed immediately and didn’t return until 2023. On the other hand, Affleck continued his Hollywood journey, shifting his focus from large-scale sci-fi films. For both the actor and director of “Paycheck”, it might have been an unlucky phase in 2003, but viewers on streaming platforms in 2025 are finding new appreciation for its qualities.

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2025-06-06 20:28