Repo Man

1984 Directed by Alex Cox

It’s 4 a.m. Do you know where your car is?

A down and out young punk gets a job working with a seasoned repo man, but what awaits him in his new career is a series of outlandish adventures revolving around aliens, the CIA, and a most wanted '64 Chevy.

Harry Dean Stanton Emilio Estevez Tracey Walter Olivia Barash Sy Richardson Susan Barnes Fox Harris Tom Finnegan Del Zamora Eddie Velez Zander Schloss Jennifer Balgobin Dick Rude Miguel Sandoval Vonetta McGee Richard Foronjy Bruce White Sue Kiel Helen Martin Angelique Pettyjohn Con Covert Biff Yeager Ed Pansullo Jon St. Elwood David Chung Cynthia Szigeti Jonathon Hugger Dale Reynolds Dolores DeLuce Show All…

Alternative Titles

El reclamador, Repo Man - A Onda Punk, La mort en prime, I lampsi pou skotonei, Paizontas me ton kindyno, Segítő kezek, Repo Man - Il recuperatore, Handlarz, O Clandestino, Zaplenjivač, Zorlu Yaris, Конфискатор

science-fiction comedy

92 mins More details at IMDb TMDb Report this film

Popular reviews

Review by Coolnilk ★★★½

Repo Man doesn't make a lick of sense whatsoever, but I certainly did enjoy this rather oddball cult-favorite sci-fi comedy.
It's definitely a film that mostly gets by by using its more bizarre and unconventional elements that are both downright strange and surprisingly endearing as well.
Not every key part of that exactly works in the end, however, I did find Repo Man to be quite charming largely since it is particularly underivative and no doubt holds that likable & distinct '80s touch to it.
Review by Larry ★★★★★ 8

Ordinary fuckin' people.
Repo Man is a strange little slice of brilliance in cult cinema. Some would be quick to write it off as bad or just plain ridiculous. But films like Repo Man are the ones that I relate to the best. Those strange dreamlike nocturnal trips into odd lands are always intriguing and interesting but their unorthodox nature unfortunately does not give them a proper home in mainstream cinema.
But that's a good thing. Repo Man will reward those who dare to venture into is realm and gives people a great experience to accompany the amazing Criterion release. Simultaneously viewing the film and quickly leafing through its booklet and soaking up the artwork really absorbs you into its…
Review by SilentDawn ★★★★★ 2

98
"There's fuckin' room to move as a fry cook, man."
Cosmic corporates, sci-fi nihilism, and a shining death-beam in the trunk. Evacuate one system just to enter another. Unpaid sushi.
Review by ScreeningNotes ★★★★ 4

"You ever feel like your mind is eroding?"
If there was ever a punk rock science fiction movie, this is it. Repo Man is without a doubt the shoddiest film I've ever seen from the Criterion Collection, but somehow its poor workmanship seems to add to the film's unique anti-establishment aesthetic. It's a very different kind of "so bad it's good". It's definitely a bad movie—there are countless continuity errors, some as glaring as cutting from day to night and back again, and scenes pop in and out without any attempt at transitioning—but this low quality feels right at home in the film's universe. It's a movie which seems like it was created by the same social delinquents it features;…
Review by Cinemonster ★★★★

A nihilistic, cynical but entertaining piece that could only exist during Reagan/Cold War era America. Rooted by a great central performance by Harry Dean, it is born of the politics of its' time yet not at all a political film. Killer soundtrack for any era. Best God damn car in the yard.
Review by davidehrlich ★★★★

"do you think it's too late for us to get romantically involved?"
KISS ME DEADLY with a mohawk and a malibu (if we're going to be reductive about it). a world in which people brag about their lobotomies. thank god alex cox never sold out, because as enduringly relevant as this is (aided, surprisingly, by the kitsch of its time), it's one of the rare films that could be retroactively invalidated.
will explore further upon Criterion Collection release in April.
Review by truman ★★★★★ 2

"look at those assholes, ordinary fucking people. i hate 'em."
1926-2017.
if cinema dies with abbas kiarostami, america dies with harry dean stanton.
Review by Matt Singer ★★★★ 3

When you get the Criterion Collection Blu-ray, I want you watch the Iggy Pop interview and try not to stare at Iggy's chest. Good luck.
Review by Rafael Jovine ★★★½ 8

I don't know what's more shocking: Stanton's ability to scream and go mad instead of playing everything subdued OR the fact that Napoleon FREAKING Dynamite is in this movie (!!!!). All crazy theories ND was a bloodsucking vampire has been confirmed!
I was pretty pumped to see this film after hearing so much about it and, for the most part, it didn't disappoint. As far as I know, the movie with the same title starring Jude Law has nothing to do with this, so I wonder why they have pretty much the same name? Anyway, this film was a blast from the 80s, with hammy, campy, and wacky acting throughout. It has plenty of silly decisions and goofy dialogue that…
Review by Lou (rhymes with wow!) ★★★★ 11

I mean, what more is there to say about Alex Cox' much beloved cult classic? The movie is the perfect marriage of science-fiction elements and punk-rock mentality. Nicolas Winding Refn is a fan and so are the people over at Criterion.
Repo Man stars the late, great Harry Dean Stanton and Emilio Estevez and it has all the car-trunk-death-rays you could ever need. The movie's satirical moments elevate it above other B-movie fare. It also has the greatest soundtrack of any movie, EVER, with songs by Circle Jerks, Black Flag, Suicidal Tendencies, Fear and The Plugz.
Plus, it's just a lot of fun, you know..
Review by SilentDawn ★★★★ 3

Repo Man is everything I wanted and more from a cult film; Biting and pitch-perfect social commentary, a witty and amazingly quotable script, and actors all at the top of their game, which is wrapped up in the trappings of a 50s paranoia Alien picture.
Sure, It's completely bonkers, but you can't help but feel utter euphoria as the final frames of this insane piece of cinema flash before your eyes, leaving you in a state of bewilderment and confused chaos.
It also has Harry Dean Stanton saying the F-Word constantly. If that doesn't sell it, I don't know what will.
Review by Stankshadow ★★★★ 2

I wish this was real. I wish reality was exactly like this film with all the UFO stuff. I want it lit and photographed by Robby Müller. I want a dope punk soundtrack playing all the time. I want to eat meat out of a can labeled only as "food". I want a glowing Chevy Malibu. I want to work with Harry Dean Stanton, he looks like an old sock and really knows how to wear hats. I also hear that "Harry Dean Stanton only uses REAL baseball bats". He's the shit.

Recent reviews

Review by dylan owens ★★★½

huh
Review by Ricardo Cassavetes ★★★★

Might be one of the sickest films ive ever seen.that ending alone is one of the most kick-ass things ive seen in my life
Review by SaltySandals

Weirdie but a goodie. Feels like it belongs with a They Live double feature
Review by Kiki ★★★★½

cruising around in a casual suit and doing drugs with harry dean stanton is my dream job
Review by Ryan Grove ★★★½

“Fuck this, let’s do crimes.”
Review by sam has something to say

perfect movie no comments. best use of glow in the dark paint in a movie methinks
Review by kat d ★★★★★

let’s go get sushi and not pay for it!!
Review by ripgrindgoat ★★★★

lol
Review by BenDavid Grabinski ★★★★★

“Not my face!”
*slams chair into his face*
“My face!”
Masterpiece.
Review by geeseteeth ★★★★★

BANGER of a soundtrack
also my fave movie of ever
Review by paulina ★★★★½

fantastic soundtrack i love harry dean stanton characterized as “driving” and the signs….. so many signs…
Review by MinisterNarwhal ★★½

Yeah, I don't think I'm into the whole punk rock aesthetic this movie really just kinda oozes. Never been into that kind of music, and unfortunately I think that translated over to this movie as well. Really just didn't tickle the funny bone for me either. Overall, I'd say that, while there are definitely worse movies to consider watching, this definitely wouldn't be my number one choice to ever watch again.
Also, fun fact I learned while reading Ebert's review of this movie, Stanton starred in this before he was in Paris, Texas, i.e. before anyone apparently really gave a shit about him. Love that guy!