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'The Dead Don't Die' (2019) Review

Jarmusch fails to reach the heights of those he's referencing.

By Conor CrooksPublished 5 years ago 3 min read
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Credit: Universal

A bizarre melting pot of comedy, conventions, and concepts. From its hyped opening at Cannes, to its wide release, the reception for Jim Jarmusch’s The Dead Don’t Die (2019) has been a mixed bag. The same can be said of the film itself. Riffing off of films such as Zombieland (2009) and more directly the Romero classics, Night of the Living Dead (1968) and Dawn of the Dead (1978). In it’s humour and genre-informed characters and also in it’s critiques of humanity and society. The Dead Don’t Die is a zombie film with something to say, but what that is exactly gets lost in translation.

Taking place in Centreville USA, the citizens of this tiny, Twin Peaks-esque, middle America town must survive a zombie horde that has risen up due to radical changes in the Earth’s orbit. Film’s fascination with the zombie narrative continues and like most filmmakers who take a page out of Romero’s book, Jarmusch chooses to begin in the calm before the storm. This is also where it becomes clear that this isn’t just another zombie film. Its quirky, eccentric lead characters and deadpan, fourth-wall breaking humour quickly deconstruct audience expectations of how this apocalypse will play out.

Considering this is a film that heavily hyped its star-studded cast, few really get to shine outside of the police trio. Most could be considered lighthearted cameos that work like a nod to the cinephiles in the audience, rather than significant characters that play any kind of role in a greater narrative. Although the few who do get their moments are satisfactory and feel worthwhile. Jarmusch veteran’s Bill Murray and Adam Driver are an interesting and sometimes funny lead pair. Occasionally bouncing off one another with ease creating an entertaining dynamic as they react to the disaster unfolding around them. However rounding out the trio is Chloe Sevigny whose female officer feels reactionary to the positive steps female characters have taken in recent years. A polar opposite to Tilda Swinton’s brilliant performance as the Scottish, samurai sword wielding mortician Zelda Winston. A character, which is performed brilliantly, but thinly written and sadly underused, given the potential shown.

What Jarmusch is trying to say with this film is neither subtle or clear. Its overt message of the end of world being a result of climate change works as a warning baked into the narrative. Furthermore its challenge of political powers and the general public’s naivety to the modern day ‘fake news’ also hit home as an important and immediate battle cry for the audience. However these challenges and their importance are tripped up repeatedly by the film’s comedy as every aspect functions as a self-referential parody. From the muted performances- or in Chloe Sevigny’s case over the top performance-to the conventions and customary subject matter of a zombie film. As the genre is ironically mocked through fourth-wall breaking gags and deadpan humour, which when timed correctly works brilliantly but this is rarely the case. Therefore much of the comedy which is lack-lustre and recycled succeeds in sucking all momentum out of the film. Questioning its existence and redirecting all attention away from what the film is trying to say. This is at times salvaged by some of the performances in particular Adam Driver, Tilda Swinton and some of the more creative cameos.

The Dead Don’t Die thrives occasionally through its dark, ominous aesthetic steeped in the genre, but with that signature Jarmusch touch. With some entertaining slow-motion action sequences backed by a soundtrack that really compliment one another. However these alone are not enough to salvage a film that falls short and disappoints at every turn. Torn between having a serious message that challenges the audience and being ironically funny, at no point does it find the balance. Landing more as a pretentious mockery than a genre classic and falling short of Jim Jarmusch’s earlier indy triumphs.

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About the Creator

Conor Crooks

Living in Newcastle Upon Tyne, born in Belfast. Studying a masters in Film, I'll watch anything starring Bugs Bunny and Michael Jordan.

All credit goes to the respective creators of the images in my articles.

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