Jim Jarmusch lets us know right off the bat that THE DEAD DON’T DIE, his take on the zombie genre is not to be taken seriously. It plays the film’s irreverent title song (by Sturgill Simpson) over the opening credits. Minutes later the song is playing in the squad car of Police Chief Cliff Robertson (Bill Murray), prompting him to wonder why it sounds so familiar. “It’s the film’s theme song,” his deputy Ronnie Peterson (Adam Driver) matter-of-factly replies, in the first of several meta moments (mostly delivered by Driver) that include references to the script and “Jim”, the director. There have been zombie comedies before, but Jarmusch puts the ‘dead’ in ‘deadpan’ with THE DEAD DON’T DIE, a quirky zombie parody featuring what’s justifiably been billed as ‘the greatest cast ever assembled for a zombie film’: Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Tilda Swinton, Chloë Sevigny, Steve Buscemi, Danny Glover, Caleb Landry Jones, Rosie Perez, Iggy Pop, Sara Driver, RZA, Selena Gomez, Carol Kane, Austin Butler, Luka Sabbat and Tom Waits.
In an environmental twist to the zombie legend, it seems the Earth has spun off its axis by something called “polar fracking” causing the dead to spring to life in the one-stoplight town of Centerville, PA and go on the hunt for blood, brains, coffee, wi-fi, chardonnay, and cable TV, things they desired during their living days. THE DEAD DON’T DIE should be enjoyed by everyone who loves Jarmush’s particular low-key style of comedy, but it probably won’t win many converts. Jarmush’s self-conscious, often silly script and absurdist tone makes it hard to fully indulge in its horrific elements, but as director he shows a surprising eye for foggy graveyard atmosphere. Even if the laughs are muted, the cast makes it worthwhile. Highlights include Tom Waits as a woods-dwelling recluse, Steve Buscemi as a racist blowhard who sports a “Make America White Again” hat, and Chloë Sevigny as the only cop on the small force who seems concerned that the citizenry are dining on each other. Tilda Swinton spoofs the sword-wielding philosophical oracle shtick she’s been doing in films lately. She’s terrific, but the heart of THE DEAD DON’T DIE is the dialog between Murray and Driver. “This isn’t going to end well” the deputy repeats, in a running joke with a big pay-off. THE DEAD DON’T DIE meanders in its second half, and eventually runs out of steam but its still recommended.
3 1/2 of 5 Stars
