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Poster for The Dead Zone

The Dead Zone

Seen it?

1983 | 103 min | Thriller, Horror, Science Fiction

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

It earned strong reviews (89% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing, horror fans and sci-fi fans. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Scary.
The pace
Fast-moving, at 1 hr 43 min.
What might put you off
Rated R: expect violence.

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.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.0 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $21 million worldwide on a $10 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 288K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by David Cronenberg

  • Christopher WalkenJohnny Smith
  • Brooke AdamsSarah Bracknell
  • Tom SkerrittSheriff Bannerman
  • Herbert LomDr. Sam Weizak
  • Anthony ZerbeRoger Stuart
  • Colleen DewhurstHenrietta Dodd
  • Martin SheenGreg Stillson
  • Nicholas CampbellFrank Dodd
  • Sean SullivanHerb Smith
  • Jackie BurroughsVera Smith