Review of The Dead Zone (1983) by Harry F — 10 Feb 2013

The films of David Cronenberg are generally recognisable, especially before his 90's output. From 1975 to 1991, the films of Cronenberg could be identified by their high level of intellect, brutal gore, and disgusting body horror. Hence, The Dead Zone is immediately unrecognisable, being, up to this point, by the most restrained film of his career. The Dead Zone is, dare we say it, mainstream, and the trademark gore is almost nowhere to be seen.

That is not a recommendation to avoid, for The Dead Zone is a brilliant slice of paranoia, and up there with the finest Stephen King adaptations. Schoolteacher Johnny (Christopher Walken) is driving home when he gets in an unfortunate car crash; when he awakes, he discovers he has been in a coma or five years, his girlfriend is now married with children, and he has the ability to see people's past, present and future at touch. From there, the film is more a series of set pieces than having a fantastic plot; saving children, solving murders and, in the main crux of the film, taking on a politician (played with slimy relish by Martin Sheen). Though the film occasionally struggles with tone (a suicide scene is far too brutal for a film of this calibre), it is always enjoyable, and Walken's performance should be far more iconic than it is; he is brilliant. Though not prime Cronenberg, and too "pleasant" for most horror devotees, The Dead Zone has a killer central performance and some of the most enjoyable scenes of 80's horror.