When a comet passes close to the earth, machines all over the world come alive and go on homicidal rampages. A group of people at a desolate truck stop are held hostage by a gang of murderous 18-wheelers. The frightened people set out to defeat the killer machines…Or be killed by them.
A rogue comet causes all the machines on Earth, from cars to toasters, to come alive and turn violently against their human creators. In a small North Carolina town, a group of survivors, led by a recently released ex-con and a diner owner, must band together to survive the onslaught of killer trucks and other sentient machinery at a truck stop. Their only hope is to find a way to stop the chaos before they are all systematically destroyed.
Maximum Overdrive was poorly received by critics and audiences alike, becoming known as one of Stephen King's least successful directorial efforts. It was widely panned for its convoluted plot, over-the-top gore, and often unintentional humor. Despite its critical failure, it has since developed a cult following among fans of schlocky horror films.
Google audience: Audience reviews often mention the film's campy, B-movie appeal and its effectiveness as a cheesy, fun watch despite its flaws. Many find the premise entertaining and appreciate the practical effects, though some criticize the poor acting and nonsensical plot.
The film is based on Stephen King's short story 'Trucks' from the collection 'Night Shift', but King stated he felt the story was too slight for a feature film and expanded it significantly for the movie, which he also directed, marking his directorial debut.
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