In September 1957, a red 1958 Plymouth Fury is built in a Detroit factory—and even before leaving the assembly line, it’s involved in two mysterious accidents, one of them fatal. Twenty-one years later, socially awkward and bullied teenager Arnold “Arnie” Cunningham spots the now-wrecked car for sale in someone’s yard while riding with his only friend, Dennis Guilder. Instantly drawn to it, Arnie buys the car, which was once named Christine by its original owner.

He brings Christine to the garage of the shady Will Darnell and becomes obsessed with restoring her. As the car is brought back to life, so is a darker side of Arnie. He transforms from a timid outcast into an arrogant, cocky teen, even managing to date Leigh Cabot, the most attractive girl at school. But as Arnie’s bond with Christine deepens, the car begins to take on a life of its own—eliminating anyone who threatens them. Possessed by something evil, Christine will stop at nothing to protect her driver.