Ben Affleckmade a sci-fi movie in 2003 that has since been forgotten, but 22 years later, the rarely-seen film is a streaming hit on Netflix. Even as his two-decades-old science fiction effort finds a new audience on the world’s biggest streamer, the Oscar-winning actor, producer and writer is enjoying the success of his latest release,The Accountant 2, which grossed $101 million worldwide in its theatrical run, and is sure to be even more of a hit on streaming.
It is no surprise at all to see Affleck headlining a thriller likeThe Accountant 2, after his efforts with films like the firstAccountant,The Town,Argo,Triple Frontierand others.Science fiction films like the one he made back in 2003 are less frequently found in his filmography, and if sci-fi leaning comic book movies likeJustice Leagueare tossed out, the genre is even more poorly represented there.
Affleck’s 2003 Science Fiction Movie Paycheck Is Trending On Netflix
The early Affleck starring vehicle was a modest hit
2003 was a busy year for Affleck with three releases in theaters, among them the sci-fi moviePaycheck, which is now trending on Netflix. Directed by the legendary John Woo, the near-future thriller concerns a reverse engineer (Affleck) doing secretive work for tech companies, whose mind is erased after every job. Following a particularly sensitive gig involving government tech, Affleck awakes from his mind erasure to find himself being pursued, with no idea why.
Affleck’s long-time friend and collaborator Matt Damon was first offered the lead role inPaycheck, but turned it down because he had just played a man with amnesia inThe Bourne Identity
22 years after it grossed $117 million in theaters, Affleck’s pursuit thrillerPaycheckis being rediscovered on streaming, and is currently trending on Netflix, landing at #5on the service’s self-reported global top ten (viaFlixpatrol).
Our Take On Affleck’s Paycheck Resurfacing After 22 Years
It’s a good watch for fans of paranoid sci-fi thrillers
Affleck’s 2003 included two of his most notable duds,GigliandDaredevil, making the modestly successfulPaycheckthe best of his three releases that year. The Woo-directed thriller is more worthy of reassessment than the all-time bombGiglior the superhero misfireDaredevil,and it’s refreshing to see new viewersdiscovering the movie on Netflix, and giving it a second chance.
It’s true that Affleck has leaned toward drama and thriller roles, doing very few science fiction or horror excursions over the course of his career. PerhapsPaychecksoured Affleck on doing more futuristic movies, given its modest box office success, and truly dismal critical reception (itsRotten Tomatoesrating stands at 27%). Or perhaps the star simply thought he’d found his niche in thrillers and dramas, and saw no need to revisit sci-fi.
Paycheckperhaps should have been a bigger success, given its basis in a short story by Philip K. Dick, an author whose works have been adapted into a number of classic films, and a few big hits like the originalTotal Recalland Spielberg’sMinority Report. Critics point to Woo’s direction as one of the film’s big problems, pointing out that his predilection for over-the-top action just doesn’t fit the material.
Source: Flixpatrol
Ben Affleck
Discover the latest news and filmography for Ben Affleck, known for Good Will Hunting and Argo.
