The Dead Don't Die

The Dead Don’t Die is a slow, hipster zombie satire based on repetition of the same jokes and situations which constantly makes fun of the fact that it is a slow, hipster satire based on repetition of the same jokes and situations. It sometimes works very well, sometimes not so much. In the context of Jim Jarmusch’s earlier genre deconstructions, the film is inspiring (not only are genre conventions exaggerated, but are also commented upon by the actors, who step out of their roles and express their opinions on the screenplay) thanks to a cast that has superbly mastered deadpan humor and numerous references to (Romero’s) zombie horror movies and other old films (a headstone with the name Samuel Fuller inscribed on it) and it is fairly entertaining throughout its running time. The film is neither a summer hit nor the peak of Jarmusch’s filmography (it is sloppy especially visually and in the interconnection/variation of individual motifs), where The Dead is found in the paradoxical position of a film that is simultaneously his least and most serious work (the planet is in a state of decay and in order for it to regain its balance, humans will have to get out of the way), but I rather imagine it is not the absolute failure that the responses from Cannes warned against. 75% (06/27/2019)

I don't really seek out zombie movie – in fact I tend to avoid them – but in this case the director's name was enough to guarantee me that it would be something more than just a mere killing spree. Fortunately, I wasn't wrong and in the end I quite enjoyed this cruelly parodic statement about the bleak state of the contemporary world, where almost all people constantly succumb tor consumerist cravings like some kind of gluttonous zombies. I was amazed at how masterfully Jim Jarmusch managed to touch so many raw nerves at the end. (75%) (02/10/2023)

This is an experimental, intellectually-ironic zombie film from a director who despises standard commercial zombie films, and that’s exactly the way it looks. Deliberately throwing away the rules of the zombie genre and overturning conventions and stereotypes sounds petulant rather than innovative, and the result is a purely anti-entertaining and random-acting film with a deliberately sloppy screenplay full of repetitions and unused characters that only accomplishes exhausted and shallow social satire and a few meta-jokes. What’s more, the film’s pace is slower than the shuffling gait of the wheezing undead, focusing on viewers who will never watch it in most cases because of its chosen theme. (10/05/2020)

The talented Jim Jarmusch serves up a zombie comedy with a perfect cast, it feels like all the money was spent on the actors, but not much left for the film itself. It has rather ugly visuals, a very slow pace (slower than zombies), almost no gore, minimal tension and atmosphere, and the only thing that sort of works are the jokes, but even those don't wake you up from your micro-sleep. The director knew that a lot of people would be bored, so he snuck in at least a few movie references to keep the audience entertained. Didn’t like it. 40% (09/05/2019)

As long as Jim Jarmusch is pouring all sorts of pop culture references to classic horror (and other) movies and filmmakers into his work, he is knowingly winking at modern trends (like the WUPS delivery company), or almost breaks down the fourth wall between the viewer and what is going on in the movie, it is frankly hilarious. However, if the audience asked Jim for some interestingly written and compelling characters or a plot that makes at least a little sense, they would be disappointed. Not to mention that J.J. recapitulates the "Romero" critique of consumerist society too literally - over and over again. The Dead Don't Die is definitely an entertaining movie you can have a good time with at the movie theater, but there is no miracle here this time, and I had such high hopes with Jarmusch. (07/07/2019)