Photo: Greg Gjerdingen via CC
Everyone loves a good scary movie on Halloween. But while most fans of spooky cinema are focused on the usual movie monsters, there exists an entire subgenre of horror that ought not to be forgotten: the killer car movie. The News Wheel is celebrating the month of October by highlighting some of the scariest vehicle-centric films ever made. Today’s subject is one of the finest films of its kind: John Carpenter’s Christine from 1983.
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A look at John Carpenter’s “Christine”
Christine represents an incredible intersection of creative horror elements that elevate it to the top of the “carsploitation” genre. Firstly, its release year of 1983 places it in a decade that was literally bursting with unique and memorable horror movies. The 80s saw innumerable supernatural flicks, slasher films, and creature features hit theater screens, many of which are still revered today. It was a decade of storytellers, and Christine was lucky enough to have two of the best onboard. Director John Carpenter, the brilliant mind behind the original Halloween, the grotesque remake of The Thing, and the subversive They Live, was behind the camera. And behind the typewriter was another horror legend: the one-and-only Steven King, who surely needs no introduction.
Adapted from King’s novel by the same name, Christine tells the supernatural tale of a teenage car enthusiast who takes it upon himself to restore an old 1958 Plymouth Belvedere. Little does he know that the car has a murderous history, and he soon begins to grow overly attached to the vehicle. Before long, those who get between him and his beloved Christine begin to turn up dead.
Why it’s scary
Without spoiling too much, Christine is a film that lives or dies on its suspense. For much of the film, it’s unclear what’s actually going on. Is it our young hero who is doing these terrible things, is it the car, or is it both? As the film progresses, it becomes obvious that Christine does indeed possess supernatural powers. But the affect she has on her teenage owner is more of a mystery. The young man quickly transforms into a jealous, cocky jerk, but is the car really responsible? Perhaps the car was just the catalyst for a dark transformation. Perhaps the darkness was really in our hero’s soul all along.
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If dark tales of obsession, possession, and creepy classic cars are your Halloween jam, Christine is required viewing. It also has the distinction of being one of the finest Steven King film adaptations ever made, so it’s highly recommended for fans of the famed author.
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.