The Dead Don't Die

Note - This film qualifies for inclusion in the annual October "Horror Month" series, but as it is still in at least a few theaters I thought it best to move it up.

Non-film buffs need not bother with Jim Jarmusch's latest,  a zombie movie called THE DEAD DON'T DIE.  Maybe not Jarmusch fans either.  It may well be the oddball on his C.V.  ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE was about vampires, but the depiction and focus was very familiar to fans of the director.  THE DEAD DON'T DIE does have oceans of deadpan humor and awkward silences, very much identified with a Jarmusch picture, but also a lot of in-jokes for movie geeks.  More than I was expecting. Often, lame in-jokes.   For the first two thirds or so, I was certain I didn't like it.  I'm not really sure why Jarmusch made this thing, other than Tilda Swinton's suggestion that he tackle the subject.

Swinton steals this film, by the way.  As a Scottish funeral director who is highly skilled with a samurai sword, she owns every moment, from beginning to end.  She is actually reason enough to suffer through the rest of it.  She could easily have her own movie.  Her exit from this one is one of the most entertaining things I've seen lately.

The cast also includes Bill Murray, Adam Driver (who carries a STAR WARS keychain), Chloe Sevigny, Danny Glover, RZA, Steve Buscemi, Selena Gomez, and Iggy Pop.  Rosie Perez plays a T.V. news reporter named "Posie Juarez" (without her patented nasal timbre).  Tom Waits is a vagrant who steals Buscemi's chickens and watches everything through field glasses.  He serves as a Greek chorus, offering his thoughts on what those hordes of the undead represent.  Nothing we didn't already discern from George Romero's films, which are referenced more than once here.  Many of these actors have worked with Jarmusch in the past, and are in on the joke (and obviously enjoying themselves).  Honestly, there are too many characters, many of whom are barely developed.

At times, it gets meta.  Blatant fourth wall breaking.  The characters begin commenting on the script.  Certainly takes one out of the movie.  By then, most viewers will get that this is just a snarky exercise.  Another hipster essay.  What's interesting is that despite the method, Jarmusch actually creates some spooky, effective horror scenes.  You've seen it all elsewhere, but I actually got some sweet melancholia out of them.  Zombies seem to be a natural part of the Jarmusch landscape, one best appreciated at night, alone.  There is some gore and flesh eating, but zombie dispatch ("kill the head") results in puffs of black smoke instead of squib spurt.  We do get some icky views of corpses that have been eaten.  Also, a Country & Western style theme song that is beloved by many of the characters.

Hardcore horror fans will probably hate this movie too.  Maybe the audience for it is pretty limited.  I count myself as part of it.  I generally had a good time, but so much of THE DEAD DON'T DIE is like a self-indulgent home movie that shouldn't have gotten past Murray's private screening room.