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The Dead Zone

Play trailer Poster for The Dead Zone R Released Oct 21, 1983 1h 43m Mystery & Thriller Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 54 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
When Johnny Smith (Christopher Walken) awakens from a coma caused by a car accident, he finds that years have passed, and he now has psychic abilities. Heartbroken that his girlfriend (Brooke Adams) has moved on with her life, Johnny also must contend with his unsettling powers, which allow him to see a person's future with a mere touch. After shaking the hand of aspiring politician Greg Stillson (Martin Sheen), Johnny sees the danger presented by the candidate's rise and resolves to kill him.
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The Dead Zone

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Critics Consensus

The Dead Zone combines taut direction from David Cronenberg and and a rich performance from Christopher Walken to create one of the strongest Stephen King adaptations.

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Critics Reviews

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Adam Nayman The Ringer What makes the The Dead Zone so frightening-and finally deeply moving-is how it commits to the psychology of a guy whose destiny is destroyed and fulfilled by the way he's slipping through the cracks. Sep 5, 2019 Full Review Variety Staff Variety An accomplished psychological thriller. Oct 7, 2008 Full Review Kim Newman Empire Magazine Cronenberg attempting a little mainstream with this Stephen King yarn and really pulling it off. Rated: 4/5 Sep 25, 2007 Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com ...The Dead Zone has a few nasty details, but it’s generally a classy, accessible horror film that’s gained in richness over the years...the film has an effective, wintry feel, bolstered by Chris Walken’s wonderfully off-beat characterisation of Johnny... Rated: 4/5 Jun 11, 2025 Full Review Joe Lipsett Anatomy of a Scream Podcast Network The Dead Zone is a better Stephen King film than a David Cronenberg film. There's some great imagery here, but the best storylines (the murders) are speedily wrapped up to get to the hastily developed battle between Johnny and Stilson Rated: 3/5 Nov 21, 2023 Full Review Farah Cheded A Good Movie To Watch Walken’s layered performance and Cronenberg’s sensitive direction [give] The Dead Zone an acutely bittersweet edge. Sep 16, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Frans B Christopher Walken, what else is there to say? Great directing from Cronenberg who succeeds in keeping the ambiance relevant. Striking and stunning movie. Chilling and sometimes horrifying. Whole cast excels in character. Beautifully and intelligently written. Great cinematography. Very memorable. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/12/25 Full Review Nikki F I thought this was a very good movie. I always love Christopher Walken. Really, the entire cast was excellent. As far as Steven King stories go, this is more of a creepy slow burn than outright horror. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/15/25 Full Review José G B One of my favourite movies of all time. Christopher Walken is outstanding! I remember well many of his key lines Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/01/25 Full Review Marcus E Decent for a 2025 watch. Almost predicts the future... Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/16/25 Full Review Jon G A great psychological movie with a mesmerizing performance by Christopher Walken. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/14/24 Full Review Liam D Combining the source of Stephen King and the filmmaking of David Cronenberg (Rabid, Fast Company) makes for an tense thriller that has an incredible performance by Christopher Walken (The Anderson Tapes, Roseland) Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/25/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Dead Zone

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Cast & Crew

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David Cronenberg

Director

Christopher Walken

Johnny Smith

Brooke Adams

Sarah Bracknell

Tom Skerritt

Sheriff Bannerman

Herbert Lom

Dr. Sam Weizak

Anthony Zerbe

Roger Stuart

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The Dead Zone

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Movie Info

Synopsis When Johnny Smith (Christopher Walken) awakens from a coma caused by a car accident, he finds that years have passed, and he now has psychic abilities. Heartbroken that his girlfriend (Brooke Adams) has moved on with her life, Johnny also must contend with his unsettling powers, which allow him to see a person's future with a mere touch. After shaking the hand of aspiring politician Greg Stillson (Martin Sheen), Johnny sees the danger presented by the candidate's rise and resolves to kill him.
Director
David Cronenberg
Producer
Debra Hill
Screenwriter
Stephen King, Jeffrey Boam
Distributor
Video Classics, Paramount Pictures, VTI Home Video
Production Co
Lorimar Film Entertainment, Dino De Laurentiis Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 21, 1983, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Runtime
1h 43m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital
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