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

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

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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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Jun 11

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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Farah Cheded

A Good Movie To Watch

09/16/2023

Walken’s layered performance and Cronenberg’s sensitive direction [give] The Dead Zone an acutely bittersweet edge.

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bret A.

@bret333 Mar 13

love christopher walken

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Lloyd S

@Lloyd93 Mar 9

Good, but not great. Passed the time.

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Jared E

@Jared1969 Mar 2

My favourite film of all time. Walken’s acting is amazing, a really strong cast. I’ve read the book too and this for me is one of the best adaptations of a king novel. The sheer terror watching Greg Stilson ( Martin Sheen) sending the missiles flying was brilliantly done. Sheen was also excellent. Walken steels the show. "The ice is gonna break". Pure drama.

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William R.

@MileHighMilk Jan 31

I really enjoyed this movie! It had an interesting storyline and kept me engaged with Walken’s new found power.

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Tyler P.

@TylerPhoenixMD Jan 8

Can’t beat a young walken! This oldie horror/thriller is a great one! Gets a little of track with the election stuff but overall really good!

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Tim B.

@SlimTim0707 Nov 12

Superb performances from Walken and Sheen assist this brilliant Stephen King adaption that has many elements and themes beneath the suspense. This movie touches several genres; horror, drama, and coming of age, and blends them together seamlessly.

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David Cronenberg

Director

Christopher Walken

Johnny Smith

Brooke Adams

Sarah Bracknell

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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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