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:

Alexa Vega, Paul Sorvino, Anthony Head

4 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alexa Vega	...	Shilo Wallace
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
Brianna Buckmaster	...	Sherrie Alviso (as Briana Buckmaster)
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.

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Plot Keywords:

organ | epidemic | repossession | company | savior | 

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Taglines:

Assassin. Murderer. Monster.

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror | Musical | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong bloody violence and gore, language, some drug and sexual content

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

Darren Lynn Bousman's fiancée and assistant appear in the song "Bloodbath".

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Goofs

Before Pavi snatches the Genterns' panties, he is clearly holding them in his hands.

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Quotes

Nathan Wallace: Didn't I tell you not to go out? Didn't I?
Shilo Wallace: You did. You did.
Nathan Wallace: Didn't I say the world was cruel? Didn't I?
Shilo Wallace: You did. You did.
Nathan Wallace: Then tell me how this happened, what I did wrong, tell me why. Can't we just go home, Shi, and forget this dreadful night?
Shilo Wallace: Didn't you say that you where different? Didn't you?
Nathan Wallace: I am. I am.
Shilo Wallace: Say you aren't that person. Say it.
Nathan Wallace: I am. I am.
Shilo Wallace: Then tell me how to act, dad. What to say, dad. Tell me why all you've ever told every word is a lie - !
[...]

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Connections

Featured in South Jersey Sam: Top 13 Worst Songs (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Night Surgeon"
Written by Darren Smith and Terrance Zdunich
Performed by Anthony Head, Paul Sorvino

User Reviews

Repo the Genetic Opera is a breath of fresh air in a stale world of Horror movie copy cats

We just got from seeing the Repo premiere and now I can't wait until November to see it again. The film was phenomenal! It was beautiful to watch and extremely entertaining. Repo far surpasses the Saw films in originality, creativity, and artistic integrity. This is not simply a slasher film, although there is plenty of violence to keep gore fans happy, there is a very interesting and unique story being told here. In fact, a whole world has been created in Repo and there is plenty of room for more stories to follow. Unlike many sequels, a sequel to Repo would be completely justified in respect to its content.

The music was catchy and I walked back to the hotel with it running through my head. There is a nice variety of songs featured in Repo and, as is natural with a collection of songs, fans will have their favorites and their least favorites. I can honestly say that even my least favorite songs were still necessary in the context of the film and I didn't really mind them. I was slightly caught off guard by how pop a couple of the musical numbers were, but again they were appropriate for the part of the film they were featured in.

Another surprise was the size of roles in the film. The roles played by Ogre, Bill Moseley, and Paris Hilton were not as prominent as I had imagined them being (and yes Paris gave a good performance). They seemed to have less screen time than the rest of the stars. This is not a serious complaint of the film itself, just a desire for more (especially Ogre). Skinny Puppy fans have never seen Ogre quite like this (just wait until you hear his voice). Other personal favorites (aside from Ogre) were The Grave Robber, Anthony Head, and Sarah Brightman.

Darren, the Cast and Crew, and the Producers of Repo the Genetic Opera have created a beautiful thing here. This is a horror movie with true originality in story and in visuals. They went out on a limb to make something new, something that hasn't already been proved to work and that type of effort needs to be supported; otherwise we will continue to be given "New" movies that it feels like we have seen before. I know the wait has been long, but I can now tell you with certainty that it is well worth the wait.

If originality is not supported it will continue to disappear.

Please support Repo the Genetic Opera.