The Dead Zone

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The Dead Zone

R

Released Oct 21, 1983

1h 43m

Mystery & Thriller

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

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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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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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

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Variety Staff

Variety

An accomplished psychological thriller.

Oct 7, 2008

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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

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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

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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

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carl r

I’ve not seen this film for 20 years rewatched a thriller a guy on the up with a bright future that’s taken away in a moment. Five years later he wakes up only to find his job is no more the woman he loves has moved on and remarried. In the hospital bed sweating profusely a nurse mops him down, grabbing her hand he sees her daughter trapped in a house fire. Johnny has been blessed or cursed depending on your point of view with the gift of prophecy. What happens next is the beginning of the end of his life with each more powerful vision he becomes weaker. A must watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/08/25

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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

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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

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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

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Marcus E

Decent for a 2025 watch. Almost predicts the future...

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

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Jon G

A great psychological movie with a mesmerizing performance by Christopher Walken.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/14/24

Full Review

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David Cronenberg

Director

Christopher Walken

Johnny Smith

Brooke Adams

Sarah Bracknell

Tom Skerritt

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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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