Syndicate Bosses:  William Devane as Carter
Kris Kristofferson as Bronson,
and James Coburn as Fairfax (uncredited)

Mel Gibson plays bad guy, Porter, who is betrayed by his 'junkie' wife Lynn and fellow bad guy Val. She and Val steal all the take from a heist and she guns down Porter  in the process. But that doesn't keep Porter down.  He gets back door  'medical attention',  recovers and sets out to get his 'Payback' which is $70,000, half of the take.  No more, No less. In Porter's absence, seems his Pal Val ends up using Porter's half of the take along with own to connect with the syndicate.  This makes  Porter's job more difficult.  Add crooked cops and gang members he and Val robbed and it makes getting his money back an even tougher job.
But Porter's got nothing to lose, and has no fear.

Mel, although as nasty as the rest of the bad guys, has a charm and 'likeability' which makes you want him
to get his 'Payack" and so you cheer him on.  For a bad guy.....he's pretty nice.

Mel as Porter, staking out his victim.

New Identity