The Dead Don’t Die | 2019
Jim Jarmusch’s 2019 zombie comedy film, The Dead Don’t Die, was a major talking point as it was not only the opening film at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival but also a contender for the Palme d'Or. The fact that Jarmusch made a zombie film created a significant buzz, and despite the modest scale typical of his B-movie themes, the film features a star-studded cast.
What sets this zombie movie apart from others is that the characters remain surprisingly indifferent to the situation, even as hordes of zombies begin to swarm. For those familiar with Jarmusch's work, this feels par for the course, but for regular zombie movie fans, it may seem rather unfamiliar.
The film was first screened in South Korea at the 2019 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival. In the opening scene, local police officers Cliff and Ronnie respond to a report from farmer Frank, who claims his chickens have been stolen. They head into the woods to investigate Bob, a reclusive hermit. When the officers ask Bob if he stole the chickens, he responds by threatening them with a gun and telling them to leave. Even after Bob shoots at them, the police react apathetically and simply leave without any further action. Bob, from a distance, curses them out as they depart, observing them through a telescope.
As Cliff and Ronnie drive back to town, they engage in casual banter, discussing Frank and Bob, and notice something strange: it’s 8 PM, yet the sky is as bright as midday, and their watches and phones no longer work. As they start to sense something is off, Ronnie ominously says, "In the end, it’s not going to end well, Cliff," though Cliff doesn’t quite understand what she means.
While patrolling the town, they listen to the radio, where the song “The Dead Don’t Die” comes on. Ronnie reacts, saying the song sounds familiar, as if it’s from a movie. Cliff doesn’t mind the song either, and despite the eerie atmosphere, they continue their patrol. However, the film received criticism for its lack of plot and excessive metaphors, reminiscent of Jarmusch’s 2009 film The Limits of Control. Some people felt that the high ratings were only due to Jarmusch’s name. Indeed, the film could be polarizing: quirky secondary characters are killed off almost pointlessly, and the film’s structure—breaking the fourth wall in the latter half—is unlike typical zombie films, which might confuse or bore audiences who expect more conventional action or horror.
Jarmusch himself described the movie as “a film where my favorite actors get together and do a silly story.” As a result, it is not a traditional zombie action movie but rather “a hobbyist film by Jim Jarmusch, borrowing the narrative structure of a zombie film.” The movie features subdued emotional expressions from the characters, a nihilistic conclusion, and humor that can be difficult for some to grasp, making it feel slow and unengaging to many.
The film is not as extreme in its B-movie cult status as some other films in the genre, but without understanding Jarmusch's style, it might not be enjoyable for those expecting a typical zombie film. There are numerous references to Jarmusch’s previous works, and while those who are familiar with them might enjoy it more, it doesn’t hinder the general understanding of the plot.
The film also has a strong political subtext, notably satirizing the Trump administration and offering tributes to George A. Romero. Its critique of materialism becomes especially evident in the film’s conclusion, reflecting Jarmusch’s characteristic political commentary.
