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Movies / On DVD / The Dead Zone
The Dead Zone

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The Dead Zone (1983)

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Reviews Counted:36

Fresh:32

Rotten:4

Average Rating:7.6/10

Consensus: The Dead Zone combines taut direction from David Cronenberg and and a rich performance from Christopher Walken to create arguably the best Stephen King adaptation.

Runtime: 1 hr 44 mins

Genre: Horror/Suspense

Synopsis: David Cronenberg's first foray into mainstream filmmaking is also one of his most satisfying pictures. Adapted from a Stephen King novel, it stars Christopher Walken as Johnny, a man who has been... David Cronenberg's first foray into mainstream filmmaking is also one of his most satisfying pictures. Adapted from a Stephen King novel, it stars Christopher Walken as Johnny, a man who has been in a coma for five years and wakes up to realize that he can tell a person's fate just by touching them. Realizing that he can change the future as well, Johnny soon gets intervenes in a number of would-be tragedies. Consequently, he soon becomes famous for his gift, but he longs for his former life, when he still had his job, his fiancee, and a normal life. However, when he shakes hands with a future president of the US (Martin Sheen, in a wonderfully hammy performance) who could end up being the biggest mass murderer since Hitler, Johnny wrestles with what seems to be his destiny. Walken's bravura performance forms the soul of this excellent and touching thriller. [More]

Starring: Christopher Walken, Brooke Adams, Tom Skerritt, Martin Sheen

Starring: Christopher Walken, Brooke Adams, Tom Skerritt, Martin Sheen, Herbert Lom, Anthony Zerbe, Colleen Dewhurst, Nicholas Campbell, Jackie Burroughs, Geza Kovacs, Roberta Weiss

Director: David Cronenberg

Director: David Cronenberg
Screenwriter: Jeffrey Boam
Producer: Debra Hill
Composer: Michael Kamen

[See More Credits]

Reviews for The Dead Zone

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1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
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This is a welcome straightforward adaptation/improvement of King's original, minus Cronenberg's visceral flourishes.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
09/25/07
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Cronenberg pulls it off, but you can't help feeling it's a movie in search of a TV series.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
09/25/07
Kim Newman
Kim Newman
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Arguably the best adaptation of a Stephen King novel.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
09/25/07
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

One of

comment Comment
07/26/02
Bob Grimm
Bob Grimm
Las Vegas Mercury

In The Dead Zone, Cronenberg’s visual sense isn’t as evident, but his smart choices in letting Stephen King’s compelling story unfold without excessive distractions more than makes up for it.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
07/25/01
Brian Webster
Brian Webster
Apollo Guide

No review available.

comment Comment
10/03/03
Carol Cling
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal

David Cronenberg's direction -- his first mainstream job, after Videodrome -- is apt and creepy, though the story never really goes as far as it could have. Still, it's a creepy little mystery, especially for a King flick.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
02/27/01
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

A gripping thriller done with intelligence. One of the better film adaptations of Stephen King's work.

Full Review Source: FulvueDrive-in.com | comment Comment
10/09/05
Chuck O'Leary
Chuck O'Leary
FulvueDrive-in.com

Walken revels in the lead....intriguing

comment Comment
05/12/05
Clint Morris
Clint Morris
Moviehole

Chilling.

comment Comment
11/06/05
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

An unusually thoughtful and engrossing horror flick with a terrific performance by Walken.

comment Comment
05/29/03
Dan Lybarger
Dan Lybarger
Nitrate Online

...near perfect...

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
10/09/02
David Nusair
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

Spurred on by Christopher Walken's sincerely moving and warm portrayal.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
12/03/03
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

On the surface, THE DEAD ZONE looks like a very good film...

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
01/01/00
Dragan Antulov
Dragan Antulov
rec.arts.movies.reviews

No review available.

comment Comment
07/26/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Don't let the fact that visible breath and frosty misery take priority over exploding heads and fetus-licking snow you.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
10/23/06
Eric Henderson
Eric Henderson
Slant Magazine

Despite the reputation of both Stephen King and director Cronenberg (Videodrome, Scanners) there is very little blood and gore in this film.

Full Review Source: Sci-Fi Movie Page | comment Comment
01/01/00
James O'Ehley
James O'Ehley
Sci-Fi Movie Page

Mr. Cronenberg's direction is vivid and effective; his pacing is a little unemphatic at times, but the film's individual scenes are very well staged.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/20/03
Janet Maslin
Janet Maslin
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Cronenberg tells the story with measured strokes and a sure emotional touch as well as nifty blasts of horror.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
09/28/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
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Latest News for The Dead Zone

May 17, 2005: Trailer Bulletin: "A History of Violence"
Thanks to the official Cannes Film Festival website for posting the all-new trailer for David Cronenberg's "A History of Violence." The New Line Cinema release, which... More...

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