The Dead Don’t Die review: Jim Jarmusch’s latest is DOA
By Sandy C.
The Dead Don’t Die is solid proof that even an impressive lineup of actors can’t spice up a Jim Jarmusch film.
Going in, I knew what I was in for when it comes to a movie from Jim Jarmusch. Still, I was hoping an attractive cast that includes Adam Driver, Tilda Swinton, and Bill Murray would shake up The Dead Don’t Die and make it exciting. For the most part, I was wrong.
If this is your first Jarmusch movie, don’t go watch it expecting your typical zombie adventure (or misadventure, rather). This won’t be like that at all. And it’s truly not what I thought I would see, either. But I did hope for some fun moments and to be impressed. Again, I was not.
Instead, The Dead Don’t Die bored me. Sure, there’s a chuckle here and there and signs of worthy script with potential. Overall, though, it’s a mix bag that never truly goes anywhere, but then again it goes everywhere. Doesn’t make sense? Well, that’s a Jarmusch film for ya.
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Spoiler alert: Are spoilers ahead? Yes, why not! Let’s get spoilery. If you haven’t seen it, but plan to, don’t read ahead as parts of the movie will be spoiled.
The Dead Don’t Die follows the small town of Centerville as a zombie apocalypse descends on the unsuspecting residents. When the first two victims are found devoured inside a diner, everyone’s first guess is a “wild animal,” or maybe “several wild animals.” One of the first few lines worth a laugh, as absurd as it may be.
It’s up to police officer Adam Driver’s Ronnie (who has a Star Wars keychain, haha very funny, Jarmusch), Mindy (Chloe Sevigny), and their chief Cliff (Bill Murray) to track down the zombies and keep everyone in town safe. As they make their rounds, we also meet Zelda (Tilda Swinton) a funeral home worker with katana skills that give The Walking Dead‘s Michonne a run for her money. Zelda’s also an alien and abandons the town after pledging to assist. Go figure.
Steve Buscemi takes on the role of a farmer angry at the homeless Hermit Bob (Tom Waits) for stealing his chickens. There’s also town shopkeeper Bobby (Caleb Landry Jones), three “hipsters” (Selena Gomez, Luka Sabbat, Austin Butler) making their way through town just as the undead strikes, and a few others.
The film develops over a long night after Ronnie and Cliff realize the sun isn’t going down and cell phones aren’t working. Ronnie is quick to announce “this isn’t going to end well,” to the confusion of Cliff. We really should’ve listened.
If you’re a fan of the genre Jarmusch’s has created, you’ll likely enjoy The Dead Don’t Die as it fits right with his trademark. Otherwise, the movie feels like a huge inside joke among the cast and we’re completely left out. The movie and its ideas never amount to anything beyond a few light laughs, thought it may all be worth it just to see Driver drive a tiny smart car.
The movie also stars Danny Glover, Rosie Perez, Iggy Pop, Sara Driver, and RZA.
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The Dead Don’t Die is in theaters Friday, June 14.
Also premiering this weekend: Late Night, Men in Black International, and Shaft. What will you be watching? A new debut or something already playing? Share with us in the comments!