The film has been praised for re-creating the tone of films produced by Amblin Entertainemnt back the 80s. ScreenAnarchy's Ryland loved this movie when he saw it this week at Sundance. He gushed about it in his review,
If Cop Car was released in the VHS era, it would be dubbed and traded amongst friends until the tape was worn completely through.It's a cult classic that doesn't just feel like it is trying to be one. But past all that, Cop Car is just a damn awesome movie.