Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)

A worldwide epidemic encourages a biotech company to launch an organ-financing program similar in nature to a standard car loan. The repossession clause is a killer, however.

Director:

Darren Lynn Bousman

Writers:

Darren Smith (screenplay), Terrance Zdunich (screenplay),

Stars:

Paul Sorvino, Anthony Head, Alexa PenaVega

4 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alexa PenaVega	...	Shilo Wallace (as Alexa Vega)
Paul Sorvino	...	Rotti Largo
Anthony Head	...	Nathan / Repo Man (as Anthony Stewart Head)
Sarah Brightman	...	Blind Mag
Paris Hilton	...	Amber Sweet
Bill Moseley	...	Luigi Largo
Nivek Ogre	...	Pavi Largo (as Ogre)
Terrance Zdunich	...	Graverobber
Sarah Power	...	Marni
Jessica Horn	...	Jessica Adams
Branko Lebar	...	Rotti's Chauffeur
Briana Buckmaster	...	Sherrie Alviso
Anna Kostan	...	Young Mormon Woman
Brad Austin	...	Young Mormon Man
Marty Adams	...	Big Man

Storyline

In the year 2056 - the not so distant future - an epidemic of organ failures devastates the planet. Out of the tragedy, a savior emerges: GeneCo, a biotech company that offers organ transplants, for a price. Those who miss their payments are scheduled for repossession and hunted by villainous Repo Men. In a world where surgery addicts are hooked on painkilling drugs and murder is sanctioned by law, a sheltered young girl searches for the cure to her own rare disease as well as information about her family's mysterious history. After being sucked into the haunting world of GeneCo, she is unable to turn back, as all of her questions will be answered at the wildly anticipated spectacular event: The Genetic Opera.

---

Plot Keywords:

repossession | company | organ | epidemic | girl | 

---

Taglines:

Assassin. Murderer. Monster.

---

Genres:

Horror | Musical | Sci-Fi

---

Certificate:

18A

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan] Official site [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 November 2008 (Czech Republic)

Also Known As:

Foniki synallagi

Filming Locations:

Cinespace Film Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$8,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$19,029 (USA) (14 November 2008)

Gross:

$140,244 (USA) (5 December 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twisted Pictures, Burg/Koules Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min 150 min (original cut)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The song Blame Not my Cheeks was the last song filmed.

---

Goofs

The story in newspaper with the headline "Marni Calls Off Wedding!" shown during the "Gold" scene is about Blind Mag working for GeneCo, not Marni breaking up with Rotti,

---

Quotes

Shilo Wallace: [to Nathan] Stay with the dead, I'm joining the living!

---

Connections

Referenced in Welshy Reviews: Saw Retrospective: Part V - Saw IV (2012)

---

Soundtracks

Can't Get it Up if the Girl's Breathing?
Written by Darren Smith and Terrance Zdunich
Performed by 'Paris Hilton' and Terrance Zdunich

User Reviews

A very cool modern opera that will surely be playing at midnight screenings as a cult classic for years to come

This modern, actually futuristic, opera is unlike anything I've seen. Many of its qualities remind me of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show,' a film that was never on my list of favorites. This is better simply because it's able to hold together a more plausible and serious story yet still present itself in the aesthetic of a psychedelic musical. It blends brutality with comedy and music very effectively, in fact, there were far more laughs in our theater than anything else. The interactions between the characters as they sing their parts make for great character development and story progression simultaneously. The character's themselves are all well performed, including Paris Hilton (what happens to her needs to be seen, not described). I'm not the type to like weird, cult films but this held my attention. It's definitely worth a viewing, and if you have time to immerse yourself, then it's definitely worth some good applause.