Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘The Dead Zone’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

If there’s one ‘superpower’ or enhanced ability that I think we would all like to have in this world, it would have to be the power to see into the future. Because tomorrow is a murky place for so many of us since we simply don’t know what it holds and being able to peek into what will happen at tomorrow’s staff meeting or just in general, could potentially benefit us greatly. For now, we are fully prepared for anything that the world throws at us and heck, if we learn to master this ability properly, it could also make us rich and powerful beyond our wildest dreams.
 
But let’s be honest, while that ability sounds like a dream come true, everything in this universe comes with a price. Because being able to predict the future would make so many reliant upon us and any notions of peace and quiet would disappear once the secret was out in regard to our newfound ability and of course, while you can see where your day is headed and react accordingly, how does one handle the ugly stuff that is out of our control? For there are still people out there who wish to do others harm and there are natural disasters waiting for us down the line, begging the question; does one also want to be burdened with sight that will reveal great suffering and pain? And to complicate that further, since you’re the one that sees it, is it now your responsibility to warn others in order to potentially save lives?
 
It’s a lot to ponder upon, and that’s why we have fiction to explore that great notion of ‘what if?’ and of the many stories that have dealt with the consequences that come with being able to see the future, one of my all-time favorites is the 1983 big screen adaption of the Stephen King novel, The Dead Zone. Because this particular iteration of the story is one that is supremely accessible to the audience. For Johnny Smith is truly an everyman like the rest of us and rather than morph this character into something fantastical, once he gains his power to see into tomorrow, he’s forced to deal with his new abilities on the fly and I love where this story goes once Johnny’s newfound power is revealed to him.

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​Because the journey that Johnny goes on in this tale is outright fascinating, simply because it’s emotional and torturous, since not only does his gift cost him everything, he can never quite find the balance or joy he expects to have with something that should benefit so many. For while he’s able to do wonders early on with his gift and call future events quite nicely, once he’s confronted with the evil that men do, he regresses into isolation. If anything, that really adds depth to the character, and I think it’s an honest and earnest response that many of us would likely have when faced with this kind of unique gift and this grandiose setup is what makes the finale so powerful in its own right.
 
For when Johnny is presented with the fact that his abilities can change the future if he handles the situation just right, he is forced to make quite the difficult decision when it comes to the greasy Greg Stillson. And seeing him struggle with the possibility of taking a life and the repercussions that will likely come with it, despite his flawless track record, is thoughtful stuff to see in a thriller such as this. Because taking a life for the average person really isn’t a simple decision, regardless of the disgusting nature of the person in question since no one is really trained to do it. And while Johnny is able to play hero in the end and stave off the apocalypse, it comes at quite the cost, one that in essence makes Johnny Smith’s journey a magnificent one, since he goes from everyman to savior of mankind.
 
In the end, this is perhaps one of the more thoughtful adaptations of King’s work, since it really does toy with notions of our place in the world when historic and important events present themselves to us. Along with our role when we have the opportunity to do the right thing. But what truly makes this story work so well, since the idea is quite fantastical in its own right, is the humanity present here. Because at its core The Dead Zone is a sweeping story about life and loss and the cruelty of man and somehow combining all of those elements and throwing in a dash of clairvoyance makes for a terrifying tale since it holds nothing back in what it presents to us and this film is so well crafted and filled with such wonderful performances that it is timeless in its own right. And I do hope this one doesn’t receive an additional remake/reimagining down the line because it is a flawless story, one that you need to see immediately if you haven’t yet. 

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