The Dead Zone

R

Released Oct 21, 1983

1 hr. 43 min.

Mystery & Thriller

Sci-Fi

List

89%

54 Reviews

Tomatometer

77%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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David W

The Dead Zone benefits from a strong performance by its star, Christopher Walken, and demonstrates the directional prowess of David Cronenberg. This was the first film of his where he only served as director and not writer as well. I've never been a huge fan of psychic-themed films, which may be why this one did not enthrall me very much. In that regard, my criticism is on unexplored but vital elements of the underlying story. That falls on Stephen King. For that, I would happily watch this again but only if there were nothing else to choose from.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/21/24

Full Review

Montgomery M

Really interesting movie with a genuinely likeable character, and a super comforting vibe.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/13/23

Full Review

Allen R

Pretty well done thriller. The villain in the end seems to pop in abruptly, but overall the movie works!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/16/23

Full Review

StephenPaul C

The greatest 01 hour: and 43 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/11/23

Full Review

Patrick C

I was totally engrossed and the time flew by while watching this. My only complaint is that imo it's barely a horror movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/06/23

Full Review

Georgan G

The plot line is a good one: if you could see into the future, what would you do? Christopher Walken is excellent in this part. There are many versions, but this is my favorite.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/29/23

Full Review

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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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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

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

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

One of [Cronenberg's] most perceptive and complex dramas.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 22, 2023

Full Review

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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
Screenwriter: Stephen King, Jeffrey Boam
Distributor: Video Classics, Paramount Pictures, VTI Home Video
Production Co: Dino De Laurentiis Productions, Lorimar Film Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 21, 1983, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital

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