The Dead Don't Die

In the whimsical and humorous world of director Jim Jarmusch, the quaint town of Centerville is turned upside down when the dead, or rather the undead, rise to take over. The Dead Don't Die, a 2019 horror-comedy, is a parody of the zombie genre, poking fun at the very idea of a zombie apocalypse, while still delivering a wickedly entertaining ride. Centerville is a small, idyllic town in rural America, where nothing ever happens. The local police department, led by Chief Cliff Robertson (Bill Murray), is staffed by a trio of bespectacled officers: Officer Ronald Peterson (Steve Buscemi), Officer Norman (Danny Glover), and Officer Warner (Tig Notaro). Together, they are a fixture in the community, well-known and well-liked by the locals. However, things take a drastic turn when the town's first zombie, a former Vietnam War veteran, rises from the dead and begins to terrorize the town. The police officers are faced with the unenviable task of dealing with this bizarre situation, and they're joined by a somewhat eccentric Scottish morgue expert, Officer Hermit Raditz (also played by Bill Murray), who turns out to be the chief's doppelganger. As the town's zombie problem escalates, the police officers find themselves facing off against a horde of undead, including a gruff, chain-smoking Frank Miller (Bill Murray), a zombie version of himself who's somehow still got his sunglasses and sunglasses case intact, complete with a pair of sunglasses for each and a spare. The chaos is compounded by the arrival of other strange and inexplicable characters, including Zomb-Ron (Steve Buscemi), a reanimated version of Officer Peterson who's a mindless, shambling corpse with a penchant for destruction, and also the appearance of a local convenience store clerk, Delroy Lindo who gets zombified. As they try to fight for survival, the police officers discover that the zombies aren't just mindless monsters; they're also surprisingly resourceful and resilient. They find ways to survive the apocalypse and the officers face the very real question of what happens when you're the first line of defense against an outbreak that's quickly spiraling out of control. The film's tone is a curious mix of slapstick humor and genuine heart, thanks to the presence of a talented ensemble cast. Among them are Tilda Swinton, who reprises her role from Jim Jarmusch's 2014 film Only Lovers Left Alive as Zelda Winston, the town's resident hippie, an artist who seems completely unfazed by the unfolding disaster. Throughout The Dead Don't Die, Jarmusch's irreverent storytelling style and wicked sense of humor shine through, making this a delightfully offbeat film experience. There's plenty to appreciate in the film's absurd and humorous portrayal of a zombie apocalypse, but beneath its wacky surface lies a commentary on the way we respond to threats to our safety and security. The Dead Don't Die is not just a parody of the zombie genre, but a satirical exploration of the human condition. Jarmusch's deadpan humor hides a clever critique of the way we're conditioned to respond to threats and authority figures. It's a film that defies expectations, combining dark humor and wit, to create a cinematic experience that's both fun and thought-provoking.