Review published 30th December 2025

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A First Love Ends, Leaving Ben to Confront Regret and Heartbreak

Ben (Sean Biggerstaff) isn’t having a great day. Ben is going through a breakup. Not just any kind of break-up- he has just broken up with his first girlfriend, the woman with whom he had his first real relationship, Suzy (Michelle Ryan). While his ex-partner is shouting at him, Ben narrates feeling a kind of crash. After two and a half years, their relationship is done and dusted, leaving Ben questioning various aspects, including what led to it. Through the narration, we understand that Ben simply ended the relationship as he felt he could no longer keep her happy. By the time Ben realises what a mistake it was to let her go, it is too late; Suzy has moved on, believing the grass is greener on the other side.

Sleepless Nights, Art, and the Search for Meaning After Love

While Ben is trying to move forward from the break-up, he spends his time at college studying art, where he gains a deeper appreciation of the female body. He often admires the female form and links what he sees to the form and craft of his art. It is not long before he goes down a rabbit hole, asking himself the ultimate question: what is love? Missing Suzy and grappling with these newfound questions, Ben soon develops insomnia. During his sleepless nights, he catches up on new books and rereads some old favourites. However, he quickly becomes bored and still cannot sleep. One night, while shopping for naughty snacks at a local grocery store, Sainsbury’s, Ben notices a job posting for a night shift. He applies and gets the job. At last, Ben is getting something back for those eight hours of wakefulness each night, and in return, he is getting Cashback.

A Romantic Comedy Drama Exploring Intimacy Through Sean Ellis’s Vision

Cashback is a comedy with a touch of drama. Unexpectedly, the film also functions as a romantic story. Written and directed by Sean Ellis, Cashback continues to explore intimate, character-driven narratives. Ellis’s past work as both writer and director includes The Broken (2008), Metro Manila (2013), and, more recently, The Cut (2024), which starred Orlando Bloom and John Turturro.

A Witty, Artistic, and Emotionally Honest Journey Through Love and Self Discovery

I loved the story here, particularly the core narration from Ben. Thanks to the narration, no secrets are hidden from the viewer. There is a terrific level of character development right from the opening scene, as Ben embarks on a new journey in love while seeking answers. Alongside Ben, the supporting characters are equally strong. His loud coworkers, along with the sport-fanatical manager of Sainsbury’s, are witty, silly, random, and highly comedic. Throughout Ben’s personal journey, a newfound friendship and possible romance emerge. As a viewer, I greatly enjoyed the film’s humour, and the random one-liners were consistently welcome. The dramatic elements are also a substantial addition, even if you do not always agree with Ben’s choices as a character. After all, it is his journey, and I was eager to see whether Ben would ultimately find peace through romance and love. Visually, the film feels highly artistic, featuring shots that are intensely creative and transformative, which ideally suit Ben’s passion and craft as an artist.

A Charming Story Undercut by Uneven Humour and Safe Narrative Choices

While many of the gags are welcome, such as the banter and various lines of dialogue, the sexual humour does not quite work for me here, almost to the point where the film is torn between being sweet and heartwarming and being overtly sexual. Although the film already has a short runtime, some scenes feel unnecessary and serve little narrative purpose, such as flashbacks to Ben as a young boy or the lengthy sports game involving Ben and his teammates. While mildly humorous, the sequence is unnecessarily drawn out. The storyline itself is strong but ultimately predictable. Ben’s outcomes feel safe and far less outrageous than what is suggested in the film’s opening.

A Visually Poetic Romance That Starts Boldly but Plays It Too Safe by the End

Overall, Cashback is a sweet story about a man searching for love, grappling with key questions surrounding the subject, and learning to understand human emotions. The film’s opening is heartfelt, unexpected, and surprisingly deep, thanks to the unfiltered narration from its lead. Visually, the film is highly artistic, featuring numerous striking shots that left me impressed by the filmmaker’s creativity. There are also several strong gags throughout, with random lines of dialogue that are genuinely welcome and balance well against the film’s dramatic elements.  However, while the opening is confident and engaging, the finale and overall resolution feel far safer than the film’s earlier journey. Unfortunately, the sexual humour often goes too far and becomes unfunny. The film also struggles at times to settle on a consistent comedic tone, wavering between crude jokes and light-hearted comedy, which occasionally undermines its impact.

Cashback (2006) will be Available on Blu-ray from January 14th, thanks to Umbrella!

About the Reviewer

Peter Walkden

Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favourites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.

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