Maximum Overdrive

In the early 1980s, Stephen King was at the height of his powers. In addition to writing bestselling novels, he was also a successful screenwriter, and his work was being turned into movies with increasing regularity. In 1986, King’s Maximum Overdrive hit theaters. The movie was based on King’s short story “Trucks,” and it revolved around a group of people who are stuck in a truck stop when an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) caused by a passing comet turns all the vehicles in the area into killers.

Maximum Overdrive was directed by King himself, and it starred Emilio Estevez, Pat Hingle, and Yeardley Smith. The movie was a box office bomb, but it has since gained a cult following. In recent years, it has been cited as an influence on the vehicular horror movie genre, and it has been praised for its over-the-top gore and its campy, B-movie aesthetic.

Despite its financial failure, Maximum Overdrive is an entertaining and original horror movie. Stephen King’s eccentric direction and the movie’s outlandish setting make for a campy, enjoyable experience. If you’re a fan of horror movies or of Stephen King’s work, then you should check out Maximum Overdrive.

Behind The Scenes