“That’s what this it is, it’s a broom. Using our own machines to sweep us right off.”

Kat’s Rating: WE MADE YOU! WE MADE YOU!

Kat’s Review: This film right here! Oh my god, it brings back so many memories of my dad. Not that he’s dead or anything, he just had me watch this movie with him about 20 times during the major brain development stages of my youth.

Maximum Overdrive, directed by none other than Stephen King himself, is a whirlwind of high-octane, over-the-top horror. It hit the screens in 1986, and, according to my dad, was HATED among the common moviegoers. This gem showcases King’s first and only foray into directing, embodying his signature storytelling style and a healthy dose of cocaine-fueled mayhem. It’s a movie that fully embraces its ridiculous identity, and when coupled with the incredible AC/DC soundtrack, it becomes an unforgettable addition to the world of ’80s horror cinema.

The story kicks off with Earth traveling through the tail of a comet, which causes all machines to temporarily turn against humanity. From vending machines to trucks to power tools, every mechanical device suddenly gains a taste for blood.

The storyline centers around a ragtag group of truck stop employees and customers, led by famed Brat Pack member Emilio Estevez. The group holes up as they try to navigate this technological apocalypse and find safety amidst the chaos. When I say chaos, I mean “giant self-driving trucks attempting to run them down.” This is the future Elon Musk wants.

The film’s greatest strength is its unwavering commitment to absurdity. The rampage of killer machines provides an abundance of opportunities for both creative and darkly comedic death scenes. According to other online reviews, there’s a scene on the baseball field where a boy’s head pops like a zit under the pressure of a road roller. However, the version I watched seemed to be the made-for-TV one, as I was completely ripped off from seeing this epic scene.

These moments of horror are frequently interspersed with the grumbling of disgruntled cars and trucks. At one point, I found myself rooting for the trucks, especially when they all worked together to circle the truck stop and strike fear in their human targets. Perhaps I’m just a big fan of solidarity and teamwork.

Maximum Overdrive truly excelled in its casting choices. Naturally, our Breakfast Club central star held significant prominence in the ’80s. However, my moment of fangirling arrived when I identified a familiar face among the minor characters. Early in the film, a man hangs in the arcade of a truck stop. Suddenly, the cigarette machine dispenses free packs and money. As he collects the windfall, it struck me: none other than the REMARKABLE Giancarlo Esposito, famed for his role as the impenetrable Gus Fring in Breaking Bad. I was probably more excited that I even recognized him since he looks to be in his early 20s in Maximum Overdrive. His title credits don’t even have a name it’s just “videogamer.” What a legend.

The movie boasts several other notable talents, such as Frankie Faison of White Chicks fame and Yeardley Smith, renowned for her voiceover work as Lisa Simpson. While the characters remain relatively shallow, it does not matter. The movie is fun, people die by trucks, and it’s all good and well.

Maximum Overdrive is a gleefully campy and perfectly imperfect horror movie that embraces its outlandish premise with gusto. While it may not be a masterpiece in the traditional sense, it has earned its place as a beloved cult classic due to its unique concept, memorable death scenes, and nostalgic ’80s charm. Fans of over-the-top horror and those seeking a nostalgic trip down memory lane will likely find plenty to enjoy in this wild ride of a film.

Just remember, when the machines rise up, survival isn’t just a game—it’s the only option.

Intermission!

• There’s a guy (FSC Trucking) who replicated the Green Goblin Truck and drives it around America going to different festivals and meetups!
• These people had more than enough time to warn Duncan (the man who got gasoline in his eyes) that a truck was about to run him over. Fake friends.
• “This machine just called me an asshole.”
• I am obsessed with Yeardley Smith’s character. Her voice is awesome. “Don’t make me widowed on my weddin’ day, Curtis.”
• It’s well-known, but all the music in this film is masterfully done by ACDC. The “We Made You” song was created especially for this movie and was intertwined into mainstream radio waves and jukeboxes. Kind of like the “Cup Song” from Pitch Perfect that no one could ever escape.