There are some films that are a dime a dozen, just a generic drama or action film. There are also films that while not the most original are still very well done, think Oscar bait films. Then there are films that are such a unique experience that one will never forget them. “Repo Man” (1984, written and directed by Alex Cox) is one of those films.

The film follows a young punk named Otto (played by Emilio Estevez) who gets roped into the dangerous life of repossessing cars by a veteran repo agent named Bud (Harry Dean Stanton) and is taken under his wing. As the film progresses Otto has to deal with UFO conspiracy theorists, a rival agency of repo men, and government agents trying to find a 1964 Chevy Malibu that’s driven by a crazy ex-government scientist that has something dangerous in the trunk.

While all of that seems like a bunch of unrelated plot threads, by the end of the film, it actually pulls it off and manages to satisfyingly put them all together.

What makes the film so great is how unique and earnest it is. The film takes place in L.A., and unlike some films where the city feels like an empty backdrop, this L.A. feels lived in with people just trying to survive and make a living.

It also helps that the cast of characters, while some are more wacky than others, are all down to earth and take whatever situation they’re in seriously. At no point is there a moment where the characters wink to the audience to let them know they know this is kinda outlandish. To the characters in the story, this is deadly serious. Which just adds to the comedy when things start to get more and more ridiculous. 

Special props goes to Harry Dean Stanton who perfectly portrays the veteran and world weary repo man Bud. It also helps that he has some of the most quotable lines in the film, whether he’s repeating the repo code or explaining how “The life of a repo man is always intense.” He’s great throughout.

The film is memorable as well as quoteable, whether it’s some punks deciding to commit crimes like robbing convenience stores and perhaps even worse, not paying for sushi. Or the aforementioned convenience store robber, in his final moments, blaming society for all of his problems and the main character calling him out on it.

Something that also helps the comedy is all the background jokes and conversations, with background extras talking about some of the wildest stuff.

What helps keep the film from getting too crazy too quickly is that it progressively gets crazier as the time goes on ramping up the insanity throughout the film. Leading to one of the most out there and memorable film endings a person can lay eyes upon. 

Due to its punk background, the film itself is not without its cutting commentary. The movie is full of critiques of 80s consumer culture with many generic brands that were large fads at the time. And the characters practically breathe the 80s “money, power, and greed is good” lifestyle.

The film also isn’t afraid to make fun of religion. At one point there’s a televangelist that’s clearly just preaching to take people’s money and whose flock is shown to be unthinking drones who just follow what he says. 

Now usually this is where I’d say “no film is perfect” but I was wrong, because this film is perfect. Whatever perceivable flaws a person can point out just adds to the insanity of this film, therefore adding to its strengths.

“Repo Man” is an experience. And unlike some films that can be classified as experiences where you have to get a snooty friend to explain why it’s “art” or else it would be boring, this film is the kind of experience that’s actually fun to sit through.