The Dead Don't Die Review:

The Greatest Zombie Cast Ever Disassembled in "The Dead Don't Die." Courtesy of Focus Features.

Cliff Robertson: "What do you think did this?"

Ronnie Peterson: "I'm thinking zombies."

Cliff Robertson: "What?"

Ronnie Peterson: "You know, the undead. Ghouls."

Jim Jarmusch is one of the more famous filmmakers that creates scenes with mostly just characters talking. While I have studied one to two of his films, but only by scenes (I have never saw a full film of his before this one), it was profoundly interesting to see a full feature of his for the very first time, with a cast that is overwhelming to say the least. I do not know how to make of this film, there is a lot to like but also there are some other issues that may pertain to Jarmusch's craft that might be holding it back. "The Dead Don't Die" is a film for select audiences, you have to love films and have a dry sense of humor to fully appreciate some of the stuff that is at hand with this one. I found it to be comically entertaining, but audiences will end up feeling the run time as the film progresses, but I will get into that later.

"The Dead Don't Die" is about two cops (aka Adam Driver and Bill Murray) and this little town called Centerville, where zombies start rising from the ground because of the earth's axis changes due to the mistreatment from people all over the world. This little town starts to see the horror that these zombies are doing and it creates a sense of discomfort, but also a sense of confusion of what exactly is happening. While told through dry humor, "Dead Don't Die" presents itself as political in some aspects, but also a throwback to 50s style zombie flicks that feels nostalgic during the time now.

Bill Murray (right), Adam Driver (left) and Chloe Sevigny (middle) in "The Dead Don't Die." Courtesy of Focus Features.

The many pluses I have with "Dead Don't Die" are its humor and cast itself. For me, Bill Murray, Adam Driver and Tilda Swindon were bringing their comical sides out for these roles, which one could tell that they were having a ton of fun making this film. Not only that, but the film plays out as self-aware, not necessary fourth wall breaking, but the characters are "aware" of "what is going on," and they play on that gag for the whole film. That helped the film a ton because without the comedy, this film would have been potentially astonishingly boring, but thankfully it does not get to that extreme point. I think the humor is what made the film gratifying to experience because there were many times where I was laughing hard at the film.

As for flaws, one can sense that the film does take a while for it to finally get going. "Dead Don't Die" marketed itself fairly fastpaced, when really since it is a Jim Jarmusch film, I knew there were gonna be many moments of just characters standing around and talking; not much action or thrilling tension. And before you know it, characters are doing exactly that. They discuss topics for endless amounts of minutes until about an hour passes and then finally the zombie action comes into play. And to be fair, Jarmusch made this purposely (I'm assuming) cheap looking because that is how older zombie films were in the 50s and 60s.

Bill Murray (middle), Adam Driver (right) and Danny Glover (left) in "The Dead Don't Die." Courtesy of Focus Features.

There is a ton of admiration here on display, however, Jarmusch is a director that can make simpler conversations or situations feel grand. And since zombies are a grand idea, and a thrilling one too, telling a zombie story through a slower and sluggish experience does not necessarily work. It creates a sense of uncertainty of where the film is going, and what exactly it is trying to say. There is an attempt here in "Dead Don't Die" where Jarmusch becomes political, and it is handled in a messy way, at least I believe. I understand the motive, especially using zombies as a metaphor, but shockingly, the direction from Jarmusch does not land when it came to that aspect, and it will be upsetting for many viewers to understand. Especially if you catch onto the message he is trying to say.

To wrap up my thoughts here, I want to restate, I think there is still a lot to like here. There is some intriguing ideas that Jarmusch brings to the table for a zombie film. Mostly it being humor, but he also incorporates some other ideas that I never would have thought about putting into a zombie film. But overall, the film does lack in certain degrees. I enjoyed myself thoroughly, but with the sluggish pacing and an ending that leaves us empty, especially if one understands the message, it may leave sour taste in your mouth. It is not for everyone and will be a film that most audiences will turn away from, but I think if one has a rainy afternoon and wants to watch a different kind of zombie film, watch "Dead Don't Die." It is too bad because there are many elements that will not "die" but there are elements that will "die" as time progresses for this film.

Rating C+ to B-

Run Time: 1 Hour 44 Minutes