Synopsis
After being betrayed and left for dead following a heist, Porter returns to settle the score. He methodically pursues the people who stole his money, moving through a violent criminal underworld where alliances shift and nearly everyone has an angle. His single-minded campaign brings him into conflict with gangsters, corrupt officials, and the powerful organization controlling the city.
Factoids & Trivia
- The film is based on Donald E. Westlake's 1962 novel The Hunter, written under the pseudonym Richard Stark. The same novel previously inspired the 1967 crime film Point Blank.
- Principal photography took place in Chicago and Los Angeles, although the film never identifies either city by name.
- The theatrical release was substantially altered after the original post-production version was completed. New material included major story changes, additional violence, and an expanded role for the crime boss Bronson.
- The original version was later reconstructed and released as Payback: Straight Up - The Director's Cut. It removes the theatrical film's voice-over narration, changes the music and color treatment, and uses a different ending.
- The film's cold, desaturated appearance was created with a bleach-bypass process. Production design also emphasized muted reds, browns, and grays to reinforce its hard-edged neo-noir atmosphere.
- The theatrical version uses a score by Chris Boardman, while the later director's cut features music by Scott Stambler.
- Payback has been cited as an influence on the 2001 video game Grand Theft Auto III.