Stephen King + David Cronenberg + Christopher Walken = something I'm probably going to dig.

And dig it I did. It's a pretty subdued outing from all three, only getting super freaky deaky a couple of times but being solidly entertaining throughout.

But isn't what Martin Sheen did at the end totally ridiculous? I mean, I laughed very hard, but I'm not sure I was supposed to. (And, yes, I realize that laughing probably makes me a terrible person.)

David Cronenberg's adaptation of Stephen King's novel of the same name, The Dead Zone is carried by its fascinating premise and Christopher Walken's chilling performance. After a terrible car crash leaves him in a coma for 5 years, Johnny Smith awakens to realize that he has psychic powers that enable him to see people's past, present and future by simply touching their hand. Walken's natural eccentricity is a perfect fit with the film's creepy supernatural qualities and Martin Sheen also has a nice supporting performance as a ultra-corrupted politician. The plot is fairly basic, with its own Dead Zone separating the strong first act and impressive final act. Cronenberg showcases his visual strengths through the eery and highly effective vision sequences. An entertaining horror/thriller that wets your appetite for its concept, and like the majority of Stephen King adaptations, it is fair to say that the book does more with the idea.

What a wonderfully contained story.
Everything that can be great about a Stephen King adaptation is right here. Christopher Walken is mesmerising as a man who wakes from a coma to discover a newfound psychic ability.
David Cronenberg takes a dash of Rabid and a large dose of Scanners to create an impressive movie which entertains from start to finish.

I'm kicking myself I never saw this sooner.

no shocker that this is a real solid & never dull thriller from the minds of King, Cronenberg, Jeffery Boam and starring Walken! real dynamite combination of talent there.
pretty wild this came out the same year as Videodrome as this is a far more muted Cronenberg experience. you can still see his manic early 80s spirit in some of our main character Smith's psychic visions (martin sheen's awesome future!!). and while the movie is really great, i kept waiting for Cronenberg to really break loose Scanners style but it never really happens here and perhaps that's for the best.

Pretty tame coming from the esteemed Mr. Cronenberg. Nonetheless, a very enjoyable thriller.

The BEST Stephen King adaptation ever made. More than The Shining and Shawshank, this movie is yet another reason David Cronenberg has always been a director to watch. I'm slightly embarrassed it took me so long to see it, but it was worth the 110 minutes I spent glued to my television. Walken gives among his best performances of all-time, and the tightly scripted scenes add up to an exceedingly well-crafted thriller, that may also break your heart. I loved it, without question.

Based on the novel by Stephen King about a schoolteacher who awakens after five years from a coma. He discovers that he can not only predict the future, but can also change it. One of the best Stephen King adaptations from the always wonderful David Cronenberg.

I know I am supposed to exclaim "It's Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen, and DAVID CRONENBERG!" Then slowly repeat, "David Cronenberg. David. Cronenberg."

But guys, I just wasn't feeling The Dead Zone. Walken had his moments of uniquely overacting in a way that's somehow still charming and moving, and Sheen's last couple of scenes are great and made me want to watch the West Wing again. But most of the time kind of nothing happens?

Let's watch Dead Ringers instead!

A minor David Cronenberg work in the grand scheme of things but still a good movie. Christopher Walken is often overlooked as an actor because people focus on the caricature that has been formed around his heavy Queens accent but he puts in the perfect performance here for the role. Very effective at making you feel sad.

Stephen King + David Cronenberg + Christopher Walken = something I'm probably going to dig.

And dig it I did. It's a pretty subdued outing from all three, only getting super freaky deaky a couple of times but being solidly entertaining throughout.

But isn't what Martin Sheen did at the end totally ridiculous? I mean, I laughed very hard, but I'm not sure I was supposed to. (And, yes, I realize that laughing probably makes me a terrible person.)

no shocker that this is a real solid & never dull thriller from the minds of King, Cronenberg, Jeffery Boam and starring Walken! real dynamite combination of talent there.
pretty wild this came out the same year as Videodrome as this is a far more muted Cronenberg experience. you can still see his manic early 80s spirit in some of our main character Smith's psychic visions (martin sheen's awesome future!!). and while the movie is really great, i kept waiting for Cronenberg to really break loose Scanners style but it never really happens here and perhaps that's for the best.

Christopher Walken's performance is the only reason to watch this. The weakest Cronenberg film that I've seen, and it came out the same year as Videodrome?! Walken deserves credit, but do yourself a favor watch some of Cronenberg's more engaging films like Videodrome, The Fly, Scanners, Eastern Promises, etc.