The Dead Zone

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The Dead Zone

R

1983

1h 43m

Mystery & Thriller

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

55 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

09/05/2019

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.

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Variety Staff

Variety

10/07/2008

An accomplished psychological thriller.

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Kim Newman

Empire Magazine

09/25/2007

4/5

Cronenberg attempting a little mainstream with this Stephen King yarn and really pulling it off.

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Jesús Jara Godoy

Cinencuentro

Apr 23

A horror film? Yes. A drama? It is that too. A thriller? Obviously. Half fantasy, half realism? It's all of those things at once. This blend is what makes this Cronenberg film so powerful. [Full review in Spanish]

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

06/11/2025

4/5

...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...

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Joe Lipsett

Anatomy of a Scream Podcast Network

11/21/2023

3/5

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

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James S.

@Silverfox1951 6d

When Christopher Watkins’s Best movies

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Garry A

@heavyg Jun 6

It felt like I watched two separate films featuring the same main character. Martin Sheen's character mafw the second half the more compelling story

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Bucky R

@Bucky3085 May 25

Feels more like a bunch of TV episodes cut together than an actual throughgoing story. Good performances buoy an otherwise campy script.

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Nathan Y.

@NathanYatesDouglass May 13

Brilliant. The premise could have overpowered the story, but the acting, writing, and direction somehow make it feel normal. A surprising thriller with some unexpected turns.

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Bruce M

@BruceMc May 12

A good Stephen King movie but not a very good David Cronenberg movie: has an awful first act and isn't much of a thriller or have a psychological horror edge to it. Also, Christopher Walken is miscast. Has a nice second act, with the serial killer, and a few decent shots, but this is minor Cronenberg. Very forgettable.

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Ian R

@RT23899272 Apr 12

This is a film for Christopher Walken fans. Which I am not. I loathe the bloke and his stupid jerky-wobbly accent. Good film otherwise.

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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