Directorial debut with Maximum Overdrive

Stephen King made his directorial debut with the film Maximum Overdrive, which is based on his short story "Trucks." The film features a unique premise where machines, including trucks, become sentient and turn against humanity. Despite the intriguing concept, the production faced numerous challenges. King himself admitted to being under the influence of cocaine during the filming, which he later described as a period where he lacked clarity and direction. This lack of focus contributed to the film's overall reception, which was poor both critically and commercially. Maximum Overdrive was met with negative reviews, and it did not perform well at the box office, failing to recoup its production costs. The film's shortcomings were recognized in the industry, leading to King's nomination for a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director, although he ultimately lost to Prince for his work on Under the Cherry Moon. The film has since gained a cult following, with some viewers appreciating its campy style and unique premise, despite its initial failures.