Christine: Killer Car
Article by Bindi Lavelle

The car has long been used as a narative device, from chases to crashes and the often used break down (usually in the middle of nowhere); but in Stephen King's novel (and film adaption by John Carpenter) Christine, the role of the car is transformed dramatically.
The 1983 novel portrayed the car in 3 different ways: an object of obsession, a weapon and as a villian. These 3 elements blend together into a mix of psycological and supernatural suspense.
The '58 Plymouth Fury is introduced to the audience through the eyes of under-dog high school student Arnie. The car is much the worse for wear but young Arnie sees the potential, and after checking her into a CIY garage devotes much of his time to her restoration. Through this process, Arnie's personality dramatically changes, creating distance to those around him; but hey the car looks great.
Using supernatural powers, the car is able to punish anyone who crosses her, by running them over. The car is possesed and its weapon of choice is itself. Which makes perfect sense really, I car is a little harder to dodge than a knife.
Christine, although able to repair herself doesn't take too kindly her paint getting scratched and so if threaten the car will single mindedly find them and kill them. And of course no one would ever suspect the car.
Everyday objects which become self-aware is a common device, but it works because there is something unseattling about having an item take control from us. Stephen King used this concept to its full extent in Christine but using something which is both mundane yet very dangerous, the car.