Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Stylish, violent story of evil, possessed Plymouth Fury.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Christine
What's the Story?
In CHRISTINE, a brand-new 1958 Plymouth Fury seems responsible for the assembly-line deaths of two Detroit auto workers. Twenty years later, insecure high school student Arnie Cunningham (Keith Gordon) is on his way home from school—where he was bullied—with his best friend, Dennis (John Stockwell), when they pass a beat-up old Plymouth Fury for sale. Arnie is instantly smitten and buys the car, which is nicknamed "Christine." His infuriated parents won't let him keep it at home, so he secures a stall in a local garage run by the crusty Darnell (Robert Prosky) in exchange for chores and errands. As Arnie starts fixing up the car, he changes. He becomes more confident and wins the heart of the prettiest girl in school, Leigh (Alexandra Paul). But Arnie also becomes arrogant, argumentative, and absolutely obsessed with Christine. And worse, Christine seems almost ... alive. And people have started dying.
Is It Any Good?
This adaptation of Stephen King's 1983 novel is a little silly, but it benefits greatly from director John Carpenter's masterful compositions, unsettling rhythms, and terrifying music score. Carpenter gets credit for treating Christine seriously and letting whatever inherent silliness is in the story come through by itself. The movie also benefits from solid performances and a distinct "youth runs wild" sense of teenage emotions (bullying, crushes, jealousy, etc.). The deftly chosen soundtrack of 1950s rock songs definitely helps the mood; this may have been the first movie to use upbeat music for a creepy effect rather than an exuberant one. (For example, Little Richard's "Keep A-Knockin'" is used when Christine locks her doors, keeping characters in or out.)
The shiny red of the car and the various sounds of crinkling and crunching (and straightening) metal—as well as revving motors—also provide a powerful, visceral impact. And Carpenter's score, composed with regular collaborator Alan Howarth, is one of his best, atonal and thrumming, driving the terror. Not to mention that the great Harry Dean Stanton is here, playing a scruffy detective named "Junkins"; he makes any movie worth seeing. The story may not be the most brilliant thing on wheels (although King once wrote an even sillier story about a possessed laundry press), but Carpenter's Christine makes a real impact.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Christine's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
How is bullying depicted here? Are the characters who bully others handled in what you consider to be an appropriate way? Why, or why not?
Is the movie scary? What's the appeal of horror movies? Why do people sometimes enjoy being scared?
What is hubris? How does Arnie demonstrate this idea? What consequences does he face?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 9, 1983
- On DVD or streaming : April 16, 2012
- Cast : Keith Gordon , John Stockwell , Alexandra Paul
- Director : John Carpenter
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Columbia Pictures
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Transportation ( Cars & Trucks ) , Book Characters
- Run time : 110 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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