The Dead Don’t Die — Review
This review was originally published on Cinemusings on June 5, 2019.
Any new zombie comedy that hits theaters is inevitably going to draw comparisons to Edgar Wright’s Shaun of the Dead (2004) or Ruben Fleischer’s Zombieland (2009), but Jim Jarmusch’s latest film owes more to the works of George A. Romero than anything else. Fortunately, Jarmusch’s deadpan sense of humor is enough to help The Dead Don’t Die hold its own.
Some jokes might nod to previous zombie comedies, but the film still manages to generate laughs without simply recycling old jokes. It’s not nearly as hilarious as other films in that same niche genre, but it offers up its own brand of humor that’s brilliantly bizarre. While it might be a little slow for some, The Dead Don’t Die is worth watching for fans of meta-humor and satire.
The Dead Don’t Die is set in the small town of Centerville, home to some rather eccentric individuals. Leading a remarkable ensemble cast, Bill Murray stars as Chief Cliff Robertson along with officers Ronnie Peterson (Adam Driver) and Mindy Morrison (Chloë Sevigny). Tilda Swinton is a scene-stealer as Zelda Winston, an enigmatic sword-wielding mortician. There’s also Steve Buscemi as the racist Farmer Miller, Tom Waits as the zany Hermit Bob, and a plethora of unique people. A film with such a long list of characters could have easily felt overstuffed, but Jarmusch succeeds at crafting peculiar personas that make each character fascinating to watch.
The plot is a run-of-the-mill zombie narrative, but the story isn’t meant to be the star of the show here. It’s the offbeat characters, deadpan humor, and self-reflexive moments that make The Dead Don’t Die special. The film also serves as a commentary on climate change, with characters frequently attributing the zombie apocalypse to polar fracking. It also makes a statement about consumerism, most notably in the form of zombies being drawn to the material objects they cared about while they were alive. These zombies groan for everything from chardonnay to Wi-Fi. In Jarmusch’s film, the undead seem more interested in their former hobbies than they are in eating brains.
The zombie metaphors are blatant, but Jarmusch never aims to conceal them. Instead, he makes the obviousness part of the point through the use of meta-humor. The very first scene that breaks the fourth wall feels unexpected, but it’s a refreshing change of pace. This film is smart and self-aware, though some would argue it’s too self-aware for its own good.
Despite the star-studded cast, The Dead Don’t Die wouldn’t be nearly as enjoyable if it weren’t for Adam Driver. He’s the vessel for the film’s wry sense of humor and his deadpan delivery is pitch perfect. This might even be his best performance to date. The film is worth checking out for Driver and Swinton’s performances alone. It’s rare to see characters so apathetic about the zombie apocalypse surrounding them, but Ronnie Peterson and Zelda Winston are delightfully unfazed by the chaos.
The Dead Don’t Die isn’t a particularly memorable film, but it’s still a good time and dishes out a handful of laughs. Fans of Jarmusch’s cynicism and wit will find plenty to love about it. The Dead Don’t Die isn’t Jarmusch’s best and it isn’t the best zombie comedy by any means, but it’s amusingly sardonic and quirky with a stellar cast to boot.
