Ben Affleck’s Forgotten 2000s Sci-Fi Movie Just Started Streaming on Paramount+

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Though Ben Affleck is famous for thrillers and crime dramas like Gone Baby Gone, Argo, and The Town, he actually has a history with science fiction, starting with the 1998 hit Armageddon. He’s occasionally worked within the genre since then, but one 2003 sci-fi film he appeared in has largely been overlooked. It’s now available to stream on Paramount+.

Five years after appearing in the blockbuster Armageddon, Ben Affleck returned to science fiction with John Woo’s 2003 film Paycheck. Based on a story by Philip K. Dick, the movie follows a skilled engineer (Affleck) who has his memory erased after completing a confidential three-year assignment. He then finds himself on the run, relying on a handful of mysterious objects to help him remember what he did and prevent a grim future. While considered a less groundbreaking take on similar films like Total Recall and Minority Report, and released alongside several other Affleck projects, Paycheck has become somewhat overlooked. It’s now available for fans to revisit, as it began streaming on Paramount+ on April 1st.

Ben Affleck’s Paycheck Is Better Than Its Initial Reception

The movie Paycheck wasn’t well-received by audiences or critics. With a critic score of only 27% on Rotten Tomatoes, it ranks among Ben Affleck’s lowest-rated films. While viewers gave it a slightly better score of 45%, it still wasn’t considered a success. Many felt the film didn’t live up to the potential of the original story, prioritizing simple action over the deeper themes of memory and identity. Critics also found the central idea unconvincing and overly simplistic. Even Affleck’s performance was criticized as being lackluster compared to his previous roles.

While Paycheck wasn’t a blockbuster, it’s arguably a more enjoyable film than many remember. This underrated sci-fi thriller has a clever premise – a man uses everyday objects to piece together a forgotten future – and keeps you guessing alongside Ben Affleck’s character. It’s full of suspenseful, visually exciting action, like bike chases and shootouts, and moves at a quick pace. Uma Thurman and Aaron Eckhart also deliver strong performances, adding to the film’s appeal.

What’s New on Paramount+?

I’m so excited about all the new things to watch on Paramount+ this April! They’ve really added a ton of great movies and shows. I was thrilled to see classics like Arrival, Catch Me If You Can, Galaxy Quest, Million Dollar Baby, Seabiscuit, and Shutter Island are now available. And there’s more coming! I can’t wait to check out Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie on April 20th, finish the second season of Matlock on April 23rd, and finally see how Kenan & Kel ends with the last two seasons dropping on April 29th. It’s going to be a great month!

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2026-04-16 19:14