Maximum Overdrive

On June 19, 1987, at 9:47 AM Eastern Standard Time, Earth passes through the tail of the rogue comet Rhea-M. This cosmic event triggers bizarre and catastrophic occurrences that begin to unfold in various locations.

As the comet's effects take hold, in Wilmington, North Carolina, everyday machines suddenly gain sentience. This shocking transformation turns benign objects into deadly threats against humanity, alarming the townsfolk.

An ATM in Wilmington gains a foul mouth, directly insulting a customer by calling him an 'asshole'. This bizarre behavior serves as an early warning of the mayhem that is about to ensue.

A drawbridge unexpectedly raises without warning, causing cars and trucks to spill over and resulting in tragic casualties. This shocking occurrence is witnessed by an elderly bridge keeper and his assistant.

Amidst the chaos, we are introduced to Bill Robinson, a recently paroled ex-convict working at the Dixie Boy truck stop. His boss exploits him and other employees, mandating unfair overtime and threatening them with imprisonment.

Local truck driver Handy discovers that his custom vehicle, featuring a giant green goblin's face, operates independently. This eerie manifestation of machine rebellion demonstrates the strange capabilities of technology affected by the comet.

Mechanic Duncan Keller faces a terrifying situation when a diesel fuel nozzle goes haywire, spraying fuel directly into his eyes and rendering him temporarily blind. This event showcases the escalating danger from the machines.

A thief attempting to loot from an arcade machine meets a grisly fate when he is electrocuted. This shocking moment highlights the lethal nature of the machines now turning against humans.

Waitress Wanda June suffers a severe injury when an electric carving knife suddenly turns on her. Bill, showcasing his bravery, rushes in to save her by smashing the knife with a hammer, revealing a heroic side amid the chaos.

A little league baseball game takes a dark turn when a soda machine malfunctions, launching cans at lethal speeds and tragically killing a player. This event highlights the widespread horror the machines are causing.

Brett Graham, a female hitchhiker, arrives at the Dixie Boy with a sleazy Bible salesman named Loman. Together, they witness the growing chaos as radio broadcasts warn them of the machine uprising.

As the chaos mounts, Deke, a young catcher, desperately navigates the dangers while avoiding a runaway lawnmower. This scene underscores the pervasive nightmare that the townspeople are now experiencing.

Trapped at the truck stop, the remaining survivors watch in terror as trucks begin to encircle the facility, escalating the tension and fear. They must band together to formulate a plan to escape the mechanical menace.

Bill, Brett, Deke, and the others devise a risky escape plan using weapons scavenged from their former boss, Hendershot. In a race against time, they work together to evade the deadly machines lying in wait outside.

The survivors manage to flee on a sailboat, leaving chaos behind. As they sail away, a mysterious Russian missile destroys a UFO, returning some normalcy, but implying a larger struggle against a worldwide machine rebellion may lie ahead.