As a fan of Stephen King and Christopher Walken, the fact that this movie eluded me is surprising. It's probably because psychic abilities are not the least bit appealing to me. This was sitting in my Amazon queue, about to disappear in a few days, so I watched it and experienced the primary reason why I watch movies.

This is tight and suspenseful and very well-acted (except for one character which I'll touch on shortly). The opening scene that establishes the relationship between Johnny (Walken) and Sarah (Brooke Adams) is pedestrian but purposeful and Johnny's awakening from a coma is tastefully played out. But Johnny's first psychic event is stunning and kind of snaps you awake with him.

I really admire the way this movie establishes Johnny's powers and how events slowly reveal to him his "dead zone". There are several stories within a story here, and I kept thinking about where this movie was going. With the introduction of a crooked politician named Greg Stillson (played by Martin Sheen), the movie's destination slowly comes into view. And speaking of Martin Sheen...even though his character is pivotal to the fate of Johnny and the scale by which this story climbs with Stillson's own ascension, I can't stand the way Sheen plays this. Sheen is bombastic, slimy and generally a cliched version of Hollywood's take on politicians. I'm not defending politicians here, but I am disappointed in the portrayal within this otherwise excellent film.

Even though Sheen's Stillson is over-the-top and practically cartoonish, he can't extinguish the amazing final act. It's a very satisfying conclusion and worth noting again that this movie hurtles Johnny from saving lives in a small town to saving...well, let's just say something larger.

Cronenberg avoids all of his typical weird body-horror here, and instead offers up a taut thriller that you should watch as soon as possible.