Film Review: The Dead Don’t Die

Jim Jarmusch’s zombie comedy The Dead Don’t Die is not quite as satisfying as the package suggests. Nevertheless, there is still plenty to enjoy. 

Cliff is police chief of the small town of Centerville. When strange occurrences take place, Cliff and his officers try to figure out how to protect the town and its residents…

Written and directed by Jim Jarmusch, The Dead Don’t Die is probably the most star-studded zombie film ever made. From the main roles to minor characters, the film is populated with well-known faces. On the surface, the offering is most enticing. A zombie film with a focus on comedy, combined with the filmmaker’s offbeat appeal. 

The narrative begins well. The film introduces main characters and supporting characters, as well as the locale, in an interesting fashion. The humour is pretty effective as the narrative unfolds. The camaraderie between Cliff and Ronnie in particular a joy to watch. There is some on the nose social commentary, yet this is not unexpected.

The narrative builds towards the inevitable. Yet it also offers potential heroes in the ramshackle group of individuals in the small town. The film actually is less interesting with the increase of undead presence, oddly enough for a zombie film. Jarmusch chooses not to follow an obvious route however. Instead, The Dead Don’t Die offers a few unexpected moments before reaching its conclusion. 

The only issue with The Dead Don’t Die is that the second half feels like it has run out of steam. The jokes do not land as well, with a second fourth wall-breaking joke feeling flat. Whilst more gore was definitely not a requirement, some of the characters are completely underused. 

Several previous Jarmusch collaborators appear. Adam Driver and Bill Murray are as good value as ever, work well with Chlöe Sevigny. Tilda Swinton is great, while Caleb Landry Jones, Danny Glover, and Steve Buscemi are on good form. Production values are good, particularly makeup. 

The Dead Don’t Die is only a little disappointing given how much promise the film had. The film is still an enjoyable watch. 

Previews: The Dead Don’t Die Trailer, MIDSommAR, More!

Plenty of hotly-anticipated movies in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including The Dead Don’t Die trailer, Midsommar, Rocketman, and more…

The Dead Don’t Die Trailer

Here is the new The Dead Don’t Die trailer. The film, written and directed by Jim Jarmusch (Only Lovers Left Alive), is about a small town that becomes overrun with zombies. The comedy horror stars Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Chloë Sevigny, Danny Glover, and Tilda Swinton. The Dead Don’t Die hits UK screens on 12th July 2019.

Rocketman Featurette

Here is a new featurette on the costumes for the upcoming Rocketman. The film, a biopic of the early career of Elton John, stars Taron Egerton, Richard Madden, and Jamie Bell. Directed by Dexter Fletcher, Rocketman is out in UK cinemas on 22nd May 2019.

Spider-Man: Far From Home Trailer

Warning: this trailer contains spoilers for Avengers: Endgame. The sequel to 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home takes place after the events of Endgame. Tom Holland, Marisa Tomei, and Zendaya return, and they are joined by Jake Gyllenhaal and Samuel L. Jackson. Spider-Man: Far From Home is set for release on 2nd July 2019.

Midsommar Trailer

Filmmaker Ari Aster follows up last year’s critically acclaimed horror Hereditary with Midsommar. The film is about an American couple who join friends at a festival in a remote Swedish village. Midsommar stars Florence Pugh, Will Poulter, and Jack Reynor. The film will be released in UK cinemas on 5th July 2019.

Crawl Trailer

Above is the trailer for Crawl. The horror thriller is about a young woman who goes looking for her missing father during a massive hurricane. Those with a fear of alligators should look away now. Alexandre Aja directs the film, with Sam Raimi producing. Starring Kaya Scodelario, Crawl is set for release this summer.

Film Review: Only Lovers Left Alive

Jim Jarmusch’s Only Lovers Left Alive is a visual treat. The film is light on driving narrative, but engrossing nevertheless.

Reclusive musician Adam is a vampire flirting with the idea of suicide. When his wife senses his melancholia, she travels to Detroit to see him.  The couple’s reunion is interrupted by an unexpected visitor…

Only Lovers Left Alive concentrates more on atmospherics than it does on plot. Those who are familiar with the work of writer-director Jim Jarmusch will not be surprised by this.

Concentrating on two protagonists, Only Lovers Left Alive offers viewers a glimpse into the lives of two centuries-old vampires. The film depicts the vampires in a fashion not frequently seen on screen. The layer of mystery is unveiled; in a number of ways Only Lovers Left Alive depicts its undead as normal rather than overtly supernatural or extreme.

The film features a number of references to history and mythology. The deadpan way in which the characters discuss these topics do generate laughs. In the brooding atmosphere there is still plenty of humour.

Only Lovers Left Alive has highly stylised visuals. The art direction makes the most of dark colours. Adam in particular lives in a particularly gothic environment. There is a sense of gloom that permeates the film. This is mirrored in the settings and the colours. Costumes and styling are also distinctive.

Tom Hiddleston is excellent as Adam; he fully embodies the part of the melancholic rock star vampire. Tilda Swinton is also great; both deliver their lines with the right temperament to make them humorous.

Some viewers will feel unsatisfied by the lack of plot in Only Lovers Left Alive. For others, the brooding countenance and amusing exchanges will be enough.

Only Lovers Left Alive is being screened at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2013.