The story revolves around Crash, who must stop the main antagonist, Doctor Neo Cortex, from taking over the world. Cortex, a mad scientist, created Crash as part of an experiment to create the ultimate super-soldier. However, Crash escaped and now Cortex wants to eliminate him.

Directed by the master of "body horror," David Cronenberg, Crash stars James Spader, Holly Hunter, and Elias Koteas. It isn't just a movie about car accidents; it’s a deep dive into the psyche of characters who find sexual arousal in the mechanical destruction of vehicles.

When the film premiered at Cannes in 1996, the jury, led by director Francis Ford Coppola, was reportedly horrified. Cronenberg was awarded the "Special Jury Prize for 'originality, daring, and audacity'"—a consolation prize that felt like a warning label. Critics were split down the middle. Roger Ebert gave it four stars, calling it "powerful and brilliant." Others called it "pornography" and "depraved."