The EVIL 1958 Plymouth
This car is running on a full tank of terror. John Carpenters Christine is a perfect example of the thrill of corruption selling the concept of a haunted object. Cars are one of contemporary societies most sacred objects based purely on their metaphoric power. They represent American ingenuity and strength, they establish ones position in society, theyre a sign of success and apparently have qualities of an aphrodisiac. Not only that, but they are so intricately entwined in our lives in terms of convenience and safety that its impossible to imagine a world without them. The idea of such a necessary tool being perverted by an evil spirit is a deeply troubling thought. Especially when the perversion is more of an extrapolation of whats already there. At its core, the film is a love story about a guy and his car; the perfect reinforcement of his fragile masculinity. Whenever that is threatened, the car instinctively destroys whatever gets in its way. So, what were really talking about is an extreme projection of insecurity that lashes out whenever its questioned, and what better way to do that than through a cherished model car? Stephen King, who wrote the novel Christine was based on, also directed a film about inanimate objects coming to life called Maximum Overdrive. In that film every electronic device in the world turns on its owner in a mass murder epidemic. Perhaps its a more threatening idea, but without the psychological exploitation employed in Christine, the horror impact isnt nearly as lasting.