When it comes to making a hit movie, studios tend to stick to the formula they know works. It’s rare that an original film actually makes a mark, and when it happens, it’s usually an independent feature with the freedom to think outside the box. Take Repo Man, the 1984 independent film that is one of the most original movies ever.
Repo Man marked the directorial debut of Alex Cox, who crafted a narrative that defies easy categorization. The film is a captivating blend of dark sci-fi, crime, and comedy. It all comes together in an original mix that still manages to enthrall audiences decades after its release, cementing the feature as a cult classic worthy for any cinephile’s watchlist.
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With a 98 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, not only is Repo Man Certified Fresh, but it’s gone down in cinematic history as one of the best cult classics of all time.
Famed critic Roger Ebert rated the film 3 out of 4 stars (a high praise from the often cynical gentleman), and stated, “Most of those bad movies were so cynically constructed out of formula ideas and “commercial” ingredients that watching them was an ordeal. Repo Man comes out of left field, has no big stars, didn’t cost much, takes chances, dares to be unconventional, is funny, and works. There is a lesson here.”