The Dead Don’t Die Movie Review
Nathan Swank
June 13th, 2019
Irreverent, amusing, and absolutely absurd, Jim Jarmusch’s THE DEAD DON’T DIE is the Weird Al of zombie movies. Both a loving tribute and a joking mockery to the genre, THE DEAD DON’T DIE somehow walks on both sides of the line with charming deadpan humor from a delightful and talented cast, but also with a bit of empty satisfaction.
Combining horror with a bit of science fiction, THE DEAD DON’T DIE mostly resembles George Romero’s NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD series. Bill Murray and Adam Driver play Chief Cliff Robertson and Officer Ronnie Peterson, two cops making their daily patrol in a small town called Centerville. Both are beautifully dry and play well off one another as they check in on the town weirdo, hermit Bob (Tom Waits), who lives in the woods and steals the ‘Make America Great Again’ cap wearing crank, Farmer Frank Miller’s (Steve Bucemi) chickens. The entire town is rich with characters played by a talented famous cast, including Carol Cane who has one singular moment and line as a zombie, “Chaardonaaaaaay.”
Something’s awry as the town’s dead begin to rise and eat or bite other townspeople, turning others into zombies. This popular monster that the world fears or even resembles in some way or another, is loved by this particular genre, pointing out the usual consumerism and political commentary. However, the purpose of Jarmusch’s film is a little more fuzzy as it seems to desire the reactions of the town’s people more than what is happening. Without a trace of irony or perhaps so thick it’s lost, Driver’s delivery when figuring it out immediately after discovering a couple of dead bodies in the local diner, sums it up nicely.
Chief Cliff: “What do you think did this?”
Officer Ronnie: “I think it might be zombies.”
While Ronnie’s deadpan statement receives a few questions, no one seems to bat an eye at this absurd idea. In fact, the comedy completely lies within the reaction or perhaps non-reaction of everyone. Sure, people get scared, run, or fight, but everyone seems to simply accept this wild ride for what it is.
Much of the cast doesn’t serve a whole lot of purpose other than playing colorful characters who die and react in interesting ways: Caleb Landry Jones might be the most enjoyable as as Bobby Wiggins, the horror aficionado and gas station attendant. Chloe Sevigny as Officer Mindy Morrison is also important as someone who just wants to be told everything will be okay. Danny Glover, RZA, Rosie Perez, Selena Gomez, Iggy Pop, and Tilda Swinton as a samurai wielding mortician, all show up in some form or another adding to a cast that is truly to die for.
I enjoyed THE DEAD DON’T DIE. However, this is definitely a film that is not for everyone. The story will likely leave you empty and unsatisfied. And while I believe writer/director Jim Jarmusch is trying to point out our culture’s lack of response to horror that is coming even when the writing is on the wall, it’s still not executed perfectly. However, he seems to have a lot of fun doing it, with a more than capable cast that understands a dry delivery. Despite the film’s obvious ability to be more accessible through the genre and cast, if Jarmusch’s previous films, BROKEN FLOWERS, ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE, and PATERSON, did not interested you, I’m not sure this one will bring you around either. The pacing is at times excruciating with little payoff. Nonetheless, playfully referencing so many films before it, I think THE DEAD DON’T DIE has the makings of a cult classic. It’s not quite to the level of spoofing entertainment that ZOMBIELAND or the brilliant SHAUN OF THE DEAD, but it’s got a smaller scale charm. It’s hard not to grin at THE DEAD DON’T DIE as our heroes begin hearing a new Sturgill Simpson song titled, “The Dead Don’t Die” and Officer Ronnie quickly notes, “It’s our theme song.”
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