In "Kiss Me Deadly", the object all the characters commit various kinds of
mayhem to get ahold of is a mysterious case which, at the end of the film is
opened by the lead character. An otherwordly glow emanates from the case and
is followed by chaos and utter destruction (and the end of the film.)
 
There is an obvious reference to "Pandora's Box" (the myth, not the film).
And "Pulp Fiction" is not the first film to recall this imagery. There is a
running "McGuffin" in the film "Repo Man" which is an obvious tribute to
"Kiss Me Deadly" as well.
 
Gene Stavis, School of Visual Arts - NYC