Paid in Full

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Paid in Full

R

2002

1h 38m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

56%

Tomatometer

39 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In the late 1980s, Ace (Wood Harris) is a young man employed by a Harlem dry cleaning shop, working hard to stay out of the drug business. While making deliveries, he meets Lulu (Esai Morales), a drug dealer who convinces Ace to join him. Ace recruits his friends Mitch (Mekhi Phifer) and Rico (Cam'ron), and the trio become major players in the Harlem drug underworld, a violent business that will test the friends' loyalty and wits as the money rolls in and the dangers grow beyond their control.

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Critics Consensus

Though well-acted and non-exploitative, Paid in Full treads a very well-worn story.

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Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

Oct 29, 2002

I'm going to give it a marginal thumbs up. I liked it just enough.

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Ted Fry

Seattle Times

Oct 25, 2002

3/4

This familiar rise-and-fall tale is long on glamour and short on larger moralistic consequences, though it's told with sharp ears and eyes for the tenor of the times.

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Carla Meyer

San Francisco Chronicle

Oct 25, 2002

2/4

Needed a little less bling-bling and a lot more romance.

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Brian Costello

Common Sense Media

Aug 7, 2018

4/5

Violent crime drama about drug dealer has constant cursing.

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

May 12, 2017

B-

hough it shows bling, strong feelings for the inner city and the acting is solid, the derivative story won't knock you out.

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Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Jan 27, 2009

3/4

Harris and Phifer's chemistry lends the inevitable tragedies some genuine punch.

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Sphiwe T

@RT73433116 1 day ago

Paid in full, will always be my favorite hustle movie I loved the storytelling and Azie character development

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John C

@JohnClasky Sep 6, 2026

Paid in Full is a stone-cold classic and an undeniable pillar of hip-hop cinema. Wood Harris, Mekhi Phifer, and Cam'ron deliver unforgettable performances, capturing the electric rise and devastating fall of 1980s Harlem with raw, uncompromising authenticity. Powered by a legendary soundtrack and iconic dialogue that defined an era, it’s far more than a street drama—it's a powerful cautionary tale about ambition, loyalty, and betrayal. Essential viewing. 5/5 stars.

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Derek T

@journalforyourself Jun 17, 2026

Plays out like a Scorcese movie, except it's in the hood and no Italians. Acting overall is great, at times there's performances that feel so close to real life. The writing is really good. Cinematography and editing, continuity of the story, same thing it's all high quality. Gotta agree with almost everyone else in the audience, critics taking a dump on this movie is unbelievable. Also learned this movie bombed at the box office. This movie got so much hate, I don't get it. Would recommend you watch it without hesitation.

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Crimson R

@RT52414205 Feb 16, 2026

I don't know what rotten tomatoes critics are doing I don't think some of them should even be able to rate this type of movie because a 53 is disrespectful because it's not understood by them I think it's a bad sign when there is a big difference between the critics perspective and natural audience because it means that the critics are not in touch with what the audience enjoys

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Keith B

@Okbullard Jan 29, 2026

It was okay but hard to understand sometimes they talk so fast. I'd never bother watching it again.

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Niko H

@RT91006666 May 17, 2025

The tomatometer is completely useless, this movie is a one of the kind with much deeper lessons then what’s on the surface & people with no life experience can’t read the writing on the wall. you will be doing yourself a great disservice by not giving this movie the chance it deserves.

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Charles Stone III

Director

Wood Harris

Ace

Mekhi Phifer

Mitch

Kevin Carroll

Calvin

Esai Morales

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Synopsis

In the late 1980s, Ace (Wood Harris) is a young man employed by a Harlem dry cleaning shop, working hard to stay out of the drug business. While making deliveries, he meets Lulu (Esai Morales), a drug dealer who convinces Ace to join him. Ace recruits his friends Mitch (Mekhi Phifer) and Rico (Cam'ron), and the trio become major players in the Harlem drug underworld, a violent business that will test the friends' loyalty and wits as the money rolls in and the dangers grow beyond their control.

Director: Charles Stone III
Producer: Brett Ratner, Damon Dash, Jay-Z
Screenwriter: Matthew Cirulnick, Thuliani Davis, Azie Faison Jr., Austin Phillips
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax Films, Dimension Films
Rating: R (Pervasive Language|Drug Content|Some Strong Sexuality|Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 25, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 20, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.0M
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Surround

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