Review – The Dead Zone (1983)

Just to preface this, I am writing this review on my phone so bare with me here. I have been a huge fan of David Cronenberg since watching The Fly when I was younger. A few years ago I started a quest to watch all of Cronenberg’s films from Shivers to his recent non-horror material. I didn’t get through it in the end, I only got up to The Dead Zone which I watched the other day.

For those unaware, The Dead Zone follows John, who after getting into an car crash, develops psychic abilities after waking up from his 5 year coma. The film essentially leads us through certain scenes with him developing his power and learning from it.

It’s strange, it doesn’t feel like the film we have come to expect from Cronenberg, there is no slime, no transformations, no exploding heads, none of it, which took me by surprise. The film is relatively subtle and nuanced, taking you a quiet journey of one man tackling his newfound ability.

Walken’s performance as a man with both a curse and blessing is pretty good and we can believe his turmoil as he grapples with this newfound ability. On the opposite side, Charlie Sheen’s performer as Greg Stillson, is terrifying and human at the same time. It isn’t a giant fly, a scanner or a armpit orifice, it’s just a guy with a dream. In some ways this is probably the best part of the film, as it shows us the horror of political power, something which is all too real in today’s world.

The film does get to a slow start, and it takes a while to show is the extent of his powers, but once it establishes the power, the plot takes a super interesting turn in which Walken’s character helps the police find a serial killer.

As this is an adaptation of a Stephen King novel, there isn’t much room for change, but I wish that the bulk of the plot was John hinting down this serial killer with his power, that would of been badass.

If you’re into 80s nuanced thrillers, then definitely give this a go.

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