The Dead Zone (1983)

The Dead Zone (1983)

Dir. David Cronenberg

After Videodrome (1983) people probably expected another surreal and icky feature from Cronenberg, but instead he gave us an adaptation of a 1979 Stephen King novel called The Dead Zone. It's a not a horror, but nor is it a straightforward drama; it's more of an eerie thriller with a supernatural slant.

Christopher Walken stars as a schoolteacher named Johnny Smith. Johnny is a nice guy; if Fate had allowed him to continue along his preferred path then he'd probably have got married, fathered two or three kids, remained a teacher for the next thirty years before retiring and spending his remaining autumns raking leaves off his perfect lawn, or something equally as mundane. Maybe he'd even use his knowledge of literature to write a book, something academic that would continue his legacy of teaching into the next generation? But Fate didn't allow any of that to happen. Fate introduced Johnny to Tragedy and his life thereafter is drastically changed.

To reveal any more of the plot would be spoiler. I'll say only that the 'supernatural slant' I referred to earlier is central to the story but never once takes the focus away from the primary characters. It remains very much a story of people affected by something they simply don't or can't understand. And even when Johnny's concerns shift ours remain with him.

You may be left with a few niggling questions when the credits roll, but overall it's a slow burning drama about a tortured soul that will appeal even to people who ordinarily might not be drawn to a Cronenberg feature. Just tell them it's a Stephen King adaptation that doesn't suck.

NOTE: The same source novel was used as the basis of a TV Series, again called The Dead Zone. Cronenberg wasn't involved. It ran for six seasons (2002-06) before being cancelled, leaving a gestating story arc unresolved. It has many ups and downs, but on average it's okay.