DVD Corner

Paying For It Review

“Paying For It” is an impressive adaptation.

Based on the graphic novel by famed cartoonist Chester Brown, “Paying For It” is a Canadian indie film written by Sook Yin-Lee and Joanna Sarazen. The 90’s set biographical story revolves around the aging Canadian cartoonist Chester Brown who lives with his girlfriend Sonny (a VJ for a music station). At the start of the story, Sonny says she wants to see someone else and the kind, agreeable, and shy Chester decides to open up the relationship. As Sonny begins to see a musician (Miles), Chester continues to live with Sonny, but moves to the basement. Lonely and not interested in romantic relationships at this juncture, Chester decides to start paying for sex with escorts. Meanwhile, Sonny’s relationship with Miles falls apart, but she continues to see other guys all while continuing to live with Chester. Will Chester continue to be with sex workers? Will Chester and Sonny get back together? Will Chester move out on his own? All is revealed in the end.

Much like its graphic novel counterpart, director Sook Yin-Lee’s “Paying For It” is a personal, honest, and open story about Chester’s own life experiences. The story intelligently and thoughtfully explores love, romance, relationships, friendships, sex workers, and the complexities of human emotions and connections. The narrative may be simple on the surface, but there’s a lot of themes and concepts being touched upon here that invite conversations. The film is made even more intriguing by the fact that writer/director Sook Yin-Lee is actually the real-life Sonny making it a meta biographical movie based on a biographical graphic novel. Truth be told, that fact really does elevate the movie as it makes it more authentic. Sook Yin-Lee is unafraid to explore human fragility and messy personal dynamics. She’s also unafraid to essentially depict her own deep bond with Chester in a big screen movie. There’s something quite beautiful about that.

The cast is absolutely aces here. Dan Beirne gives a down to earth and genuine performance as Chester Brown. Emily Lê gives a nuanced and layered performance as Sonny. Let’s hope both of their careers start taking off after this as they are both truly talented actors who should be in a lot more films. Andrea Werhun (who was a sex worker in real life) also charms as the sex worker Yulissa that develops a special connection with Chester. Ely Henry is a true scene stealer as the cartoonist (and friend of Chester) Cecil. 

“Paying For It” will be released on May 1st on the Film Movement+ streaming service.

April 25, 2026 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Movie Review | Canadian Film, Chester Brown, Paying For It Movie Review, Paying For It Review, Sook Yin-Lee