Inquiring Minds: REPO MAN (1984)

This is the column that digs into the science fiction lover’s world, tackling some of the most complex and perplexing that content allows. Is it weird? Most likely. Do we love it? Yes! It’ll likely be thought-provoking, and potentially illuminating. Intriguing minds, unite for the weirdest Film Inquiry Column yet.

How I hadn’t seen this movie before is a mystery in and of itself much like the film, but now that I have I am happy to report this whacky, sci-fi, punk rock, social commentary, comedy amalgamation is a blast of a bizarre time.

Repo Men? Fiesty punks?? Aliens???

This fleet-foot 93-minute oddity is one of many laughs, obscure moments, and never-dull adventures. Repo Man doesn’t press its luck and straddles the line of satirical, almost campy-like delivery with a clear insistence on drawing outside of the lines. 

“Punk” Otto Maddox (Emilio Estevez) doesn’t seem to have a lot of motivation in life, from the opening we see him at a job he clearly hates, indifferent to everyone. When he unexpectedly meets Bud (Harry Dean Stanton) he is thrust into the world of the Repo men. Is it a story of the search for the American dream? Or is a tale against it? Much is left to be contemplated upon its end credits, but this voyeuristic spin on multiple genres makes for a fun excursion. 

While Otto is finding joy in the thrills of fast driving and quick thrills, there are others consumed with finding the much desired Chevy Malibu that has a prize of 20k. The rub? This is a car that has an otherworldly trunk that melts anyone who opens it to their shoes.

This has a unique aesthetic that can almost seem jarring at first but somehow works itself into a comfortably uncommon place. It feels both awkward and sure of itself, even when this film goes off an expected path. Which it absolutely does.

Cult Status, For a Reason

One of my favorite things about Repo Men is the small details that point to its science fiction theme. Not the more obvious (like its glowing killing ray) but the food items all with a similar non-descriptive label “food” or “drink” that makes this seem like an 80’s that feels like ours, and simultaneously doesn’t.

I got quite the kick out of a lot of those moments, as well as some of the deliriously, seemingly strange comments from Miller (Tracey Walter), who works with the repo men and who has some more out there (but are they?) sentiments. It uses its homages nicely, fitting in a variety of the identities of the films that came before while still paving its own course.

There is also a side plot with Leila (Olivia Barash) who is part of the UFU (United Fruitcake Outlet), an organization that is actively searching for the vehicle and its extraterrestrial heritage. Yes, the film is aware of the comical nature of that title. In fact, Repo Man is quite privy to its vibe and has no apologies for it.

In some ways, Repo Man showcases Emilio Estevez in one of his most intriguing of performances. Meanwhile, the always phenomenal Harry Dean Stanton has some iconic lines that truly capture the spirit of the film, making his limited screen time overtly memorable.

The humor is an integral part of the journey, sometimes coming heavy-handed and in other times, discretely, somewhat sneakingly so. I think the flip-flopping course of the narrative provides it with a charming nature, and the enduring appreciation it creates.

At times the film borders too topsy turvy for its own good, but it stays within its punk-style lane, which helps for the overall consumption. There are also some western stylistic influences, but with the many that it tackles, it’s sometimes hard to pinpoint one as definitive. There was never a stretch in its limited screen time where I wasn’t entertained and wasn’t curious to know where exactly this would end up. The cinematography of Robby Müller paints a distinct and intriguing picture of this version of LA.

Repo Man has one of the most random and yet fulfilling ends I’ve seen in such a picture, which put an exclamation point on all of its previous uncertainties. It had me nearly cheering at its finale.

Conclusion, Repo Man:

Repo Man is, if nothing else, one of a kind. This mash-up of sci-fi, humor, and peculiarities, is a cult classic worthy of its following and influential in its intrinsically offset experience. It’s freak, and that’s a good thing.

Watch out when you get behind the wheel of the car that it ain’t packing some otherworldly heat.

Have you seen Repo Man? Do you agree? Let us know in the comments below!