The Dead Zone

The Dead Zone

In his mind, he has the power to see the future. In his hands, he has the power to change it.

Directed by David Cronenberg

Produced by The De Laurentiis Company, Lorimar Motion Pictures

1983103 min7.0 / 10

A dark, psychologically complex thriller about a man cursed with precognitive visions who must grapple with the moral weight of knowing—and potentially preventing—a catastrophic future.

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.

Where to watch

Questions people ask

  • Is The Dead Zone sad? Yes, very. More sad than 91% of films.

  • Is The Dead Zone scary? Yes. More frightening than 87% of films.

  • Is The Dead Zone easy watching? Not especially. Less comforting than 74% of films.

  • Does The Dead Zone end with hope? Not especially. Less hopeful than 70% of films.

  • Is The Dead Zone violent? Somewhat. More violent than 68% of films.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

Written about

62/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity49

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise68

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love70

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Everything like The Dead Zone, and what each one shares →

Like The Dead Zone

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as The Dead Zone

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like The Dead Zone, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like The Dead Zone, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like The Dead Zone, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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