‘The Dead Don’t Die’ Ending, Explained

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As a seasoned film enthusiast with over three decades of movie-watching under my belt, I must admit that “The Dead Don’t Die” left me feeling rather…undead. The film, directed by Jim Jarmusch and boasting an impressive cast, had all the makings of a horror comedy classic. However, it seems to have fallen short in execution, much like a zombie stumbling over its own bony feet.

The plot, while intriguing, felt disjointed at times, with a climax that was more chaotic than coherent. The meta-comedy elements were unexpected and, unfortunately, didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It’s as if the filmmakers decided to pull out all the stops in the final act, but forgot to consult the script beforehand.

I couldn’t help but feel that the film could have benefited from a stronger narrative thread to tie together its absurdist moments. But hey, who am I to judge? After all, I’m just a guy who’s seen his fair share of zombie films, and this one didn’t quite make the cut for my personal favorites.

On a lighter note, it’s always funny when characters break the fourth wall, especially when they reveal that they’re only given their own script pages – talk about method acting! It’s a shame that such a joke was wasted on a movie that didn’t quite live up to its potential. But then again, maybe that’s just my opinion, and I could be wrong…or undead.

As a cinephile delving into the realm of horror-comedy, I must say that “The Dead Don’t Die” (2019) stands out as a unique addition to the zombie subgenre, sharing space with beloved cult favorites such as “Shaun of the Dead” and “Zombieland”. This offbeat production is the brainchild of the esteemed director Jim Jarmusch, whose work on the vampire-centric “Only Lovers Left Alive” has left an indelible mark on fans. The movie boasts a stellar cast that includes heavyweights like Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Tilda Swinton, Danny Glover, and Selena Gomez, to name but a few.

Although boasting a skilled director and a high-caliber acting team, the movie The Dead Don’t Die has generally been overlooked and is now seldom remembered, five years after its debut. With a 54% rating on RottenTomatoes and a 53% score on Metacritic, it seems clear why viewers, whether fairly or not, have placed this film among the underappreciated horror comedies.

What is “The Dead Don’t Die” About?

In the movie titled “The Dead Don’t Die,” we follow a small, unsuspecting town named Centreville, where everyday life is disrupted by an unexpected resurrection of the dead. The story unfolds as the townsfolk carry on with their usual routines, oblivious to the impending abnormality that will soon turn their lives upside down. When the deceased start rising from their graves, the narrative shifts to a handful of residents trying to navigate this strange new existence. Among them are Police Chief Cliff Robertson, portrayed by Murray, and Deputy Ronnie Peterson, played by Driver. It is Ronnie who first suspects that the unexplained town murders could be the work of zombies. He becomes a sort of zombie guru, imparting his extensive knowledge about these undead beings to his superior, including effective methods for eliminating them.

Upon their return to the station, it falls on them to persuade Deputy Mindy Morrison, portrayed by Chloe Sevigny, that the deceased are reanimating. When a local drug user miraculously revives inside the police station, Deputy Morrison reluctantly accepts the extraordinary and comprehends that Ronnie and Cliff are speaking the truth. Nevertheless, she appears to grapple with this reality more than the other two. Simultaneously, town residents are depicted struggling in their own ways to manage this emerging zombie predicament – some becoming victims while others stand their ground and engage in combat against the undead for as long as they can. The entire unfolding drama seems to be viewed from a distance by Hermit Bob, portrayed by Tom Waits – a character with whom the audience shares minimal knowledge and who appears to symbolize our own perspective.

Joining our motley crew of zombie slayers is Zelda Winston, a character portrayed by Tilda Swinton, who runs the local funeral home. When bodies around her mysteriously come back to life, she swiftly decapitates them using a sword, demonstrating remarkable skill and strength. Following an encounter with the undead, Zelda makes her way to the police station where she meets Ronnie, Cliff, and Mindy, thereby completing our primary cast of characters that the movie revolves around.

How Does it End, and What Does it Mean?

As the story progresses and the peak approaches, the movie becomes increasingly disordered and illogical, starting with Ronnie and Cliff speaking directly to the audience. Ronnie hints that things won’t end well because Jim, representing the director, hands him the entire script, while Cliff admits he only gets scripts for his own parts. This disrupts the movie’s believability and pulls viewers out of the previously established storyline. The unexpected meta humor seems aimless and lacks purpose or a clear path.

As I watched the movie, it became clearer that Zelda, this otherworldly being, wasn’t from our realm. To confirm this, a UFO materialized over the graveyard where we were all gathered, and Zelda vanished, likely to reunite with her kind, as the UFO disappeared into the dark sky. After witnessing this and without any more questions or emotional outbursts, Ronnie and I exited the car and braced ourselves against the horde of zombies closing in on us. This crowd included acquaintances we knew, like our former colleague Mindy. The narrative then shifted towards Hermit Bob, who was observing everything from a distance with binoculars. He sighed that the world was a wretched place just before Ronnie and I were engulfed by the zombies – presumably to meet their end and join their ranks, leaving only Hermit Bob and Zelda as the last surviving characters.

As a long-time cinephile with a deep appreciation for unique storytelling, I found myself rather disappointed with this movie. The abrupt transition into meta-comedy and absurdist revelations felt jarring, almost as if the filmmakers were unsure of how to wrap up their narrative. This sudden shift in tone was so stark that it seemed disconnected from the rest of the film, leaving me feeling a bit perplexed.

The explanations for the resurrection of the dead were sketchy at best, providing little substance or coherence. It’s not uncommon for horror films to take creative liberties with their plotlines, but in this case, it felt more like a half-hearted attempt rather than a well-crafted twist.

All in all, the film lacked consistency in both its tone and style, which left me feeling that it was only halfway cooked. There were certainly moments of humor and talent on display, both behind and in front of the camera, but the film ultimately failed to reach its full potential due to these inconsistencies. It’s a shame because I believe with more focus and attention to detail, this movie could have been something truly memorable.

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2024-12-30 06:31