The Dead Zone

In his mind, he has the power to see the future. In his hands, he has the power to change it.

Johnny Smith is a schoolteacher with his whole life ahead of him but, after leaving his fiancee's home one night, is involved in a car crash which leaves him in a coma for 5 years. When he wakes, he discovers he has an ability to see into the past, present and future life of anyone with whom he comes into physical contact.

Quick Stats
7.0
TMDB Rating
1,900
Votes
1h 43m
Runtime
$10.0M
Budget
$20.8M
Box Office
208%
Return
Key Crew
DirectorDavid Cronenberg
WriterStephen King
CinematographyMark Irwin
ComposerMichael Kamen
EditorRonald Sanders
Production DesignCarol Spier
Produced by
The De Laurentiis CompanyLorimar Motion Pictures

Where to Watch

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Critics & Reviews

3 featured
talisencrw
9/10

This was outstanding, and ranks right up there for me, both in terms of Stephen King adaptations in general and Cronenberg's work in particular. It also houses one of my very favourite Christopher Walken performances. When I see Martin Sheen be such a jerk here, it both makes me realize where his son Charlie gets that side of his personality from and makes me fear, even though I'm Canadian, the fact that Donald Trump actually has a chance of being the next president of the United States. It also reaffirms in my heart the great adoration I have for Brooke Adams.

Written Jul 12, 2016 · read original
JPV852
6/10

Pretty good paranormal thriller with a nice, and strangely normal, performance from Christopher Walken. Kept my attention throughout even if the finale felt a bit rushed and, the final scene, pretty laughable. Still found it entertaining though not sure how much desire I have to re-watch, although I may give the TV series a shot down the line. **3.25/5**

Written Sep 7, 2020 · read original
SplintDixon
8/10

The Dead Zone is a movie that hits several genres and carries itself very well. It's able to do so due to the strength of the main character, Johnny Smith, played so well by Christopher Walken. Walken's performance is casual at times and absolutely stunning at others. To think that Bill Murray was thought by Stephen King to be a better option is crazy. Walken's performance brings out the best in the rest of the ensemble as the movie goes through 3 acts, with several stories intermingled quite nicely with each other. While it is not a true horror movie, in my opinion, the work of David Cronenberg comes out nicely in some scene's that remind you he is in charge of our minds during the 100 minute or so feature. I highly recommend this to anyone that loves Stephen King adaptions or psychological thrillers. It is a movie, that in my opinion, has aged very nicely and holds it's own in any era. Great film! I give this movie a solid 8 out of 10.

Written Jan 22, 2021 · read original

Cast

Christopher Walken
Christopher Walken
Johnny Smith
Brooke Adams
Brooke Adams
Sarah Bracknell
Tom Skerritt
Tom Skerritt
Sheriff Bannerman
Herbert Lom
Herbert Lom
Dr. Sam Weizak
Anthony Zerbe
Anthony Zerbe
Roger Stuart
Colleen Dewhurst
Colleen Dewhurst
Henrietta Dodd
Martin Sheen
Martin Sheen
Greg Stillson
Nicholas Campbell
Nicholas Campbell
Frank Dodd
S
Sean Sullivan
Herb Smith
Jackie Burroughs
Jackie Burroughs
Vera Smith
Géza Kovács
Géza Kovács
Sonny Elliman
Roberta Weiss
Roberta Weiss
Alma Frechette
S
Simon Craig
Chris Stuart
Peter Dvorsky
Peter Dvorsky
Dardis
J
Julie-Ann Heathwood
Amy

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