The Dead Zone is based on Stephen King's 1979 novel. Given the resume that David Cronenberg has (Scanners, The Fly) this should be match made in heaven. And it is - just perhaps not in the way anyone would expect. Christopher Walken is Johnny Smith a teacher who after an accident discovers he has the power to enter the Dead Zone, essentially a space that gives vital knowledge on a person he touches. This is NOT King's book though one might be fooled. His John kinda liked the power; Cronenberg has Walken treat his abilities as a curse and one potentially killing him. The film version mostly takes good liberties with the material though the evil Johnny faces when it comes is obscure.
One wishes a little more screen-time and story were devoted to Smith's nemesis. But that aside this is one powerful film and unexpectedly Cronenberg's best - especially because it is so easy to follow. But don't be saddened, there is still some genuine fright despite Cronenberg toning down his infamous pomo/homo habits. In fact, in some critical scenes Cronenberg increases the terror in ways one wouldn't predict or guess. The only complaints are regarding production - not enough money is spent to make Johnny's world as powerful or full as it could or should be.
Still, this film works on almost every level and when Walken goes WALKEN it makes sense and will probably not make you think of ICE in the same way ever again!!
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