Bill Murray
Chief Cliff Robertson
Overview
In the sleepy town of Centerville, the lives of a number of interconnected characters are disrupted by the undead.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
3 min readThe Undead as a State of Mind
I’ve seen The Dead Don’t Die three times now, and each viewing leaves me with the same unsettling question: What if the real horror isn’t the zombies, but the way we’ve all learned to ignore the world ending? Jim Jarmusch’s film isn’t just a zombie comedy—it’s a deadpan elegy for a culture too numb to notice its own collapse. The undead shuffle through Centerville, Pennsylvania, but the living were already checked out long before the first bite.
Jarmusch has always been a filmmaker of quiet detachment, but here he turns that detachment into a kind of prophecy. The zombies in The Dead Don’t Die aren’t the mindless hordes of Night of the Living Dead; they’re consumers, drawn to the things they craved in life. A zombie in a Waffle House shirt stumbles toward the diner.
Another, clad in a "I ♥ Coffee" tee, lurches toward the local café. It’s a joke, but it’s also a gut punch. The apocalypse isn’t some external force—it’s the logical endpoint of a society that mistakes consumption for meaning.
The film’s tone is so dry it’s practically desiccated. Bill Murray and Adam Driver play small-town cops Cliff and Ronnie, delivering lines with the weary resignation of men who’ve long since accepted that nothing matters. Their banter is the heart of the film—Murray’s deadpan delivery clashing with Driver’s eerie, almost robotic detachment.
Audience Opinions
Audience 5.4/10
"A quirky but uneven zombie satire that divides audiences with its deadpan humor and slow-burn approach."
Viewers appreciate the star-studded cast and Jim Jarmusch’s signature offbeat style, which gives the film a distinct, if meandering, charm. However, many find the pacing sluggish and the humor too dry or hit-or-miss, leaving the overall experience feeling underwhelming compared to its potential. latestnetflix.com's view is that the film’s self-aware tone and lack of traditional zombie-movie thrills frustrate those expecting more action or deeper satire.
What viewers praise
- Star-studded cast The ensemble, including Bill Murray, Adam Driver, and Tilda Swinton, delivers strong performances that add personality to the film.
- Unique deadpan humor Jarmusch’s dry, absurdist comedy resonates with fans of his style, offering a fresh take on the zombie genre.
- Stylish visuals The film’s aesthetic and cinematography are praised for their cool, understated appeal.
- Original score The soundtrack, rated 7.1/10, adds to the film’s offbeat atmosphere and is a highlight for some viewers.
Common complaints
- Slow pacing Many viewers find the film’s leisurely pace tedious, lacking the energy or urgency expected from a zombie movie.
- Hit-or-miss humor The dry, deadpan comedy doesn’t land for everyone, with some finding it too repetitive or unfunny.
- Lack of depth The satire and themes feel underdeveloped, leaving the film without a strong narrative or emotional payoff.
- Mixed reviews The film’s 54% Tomatometer and 38% audience score reflect its divisive reception, with many calling it disappointing.
Recommended for
Jim Jarmusch fans Deadpan comedy lovers Zombie genre experimenters Ensemble cast enthusiasts Slow-burn indie film fans
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsJim Jarmusch’s Zombie Comedy The Dead Don’t Die (2019): Behind the Scenes of the Undead Satire
Jim Jarmusch’s The Dead Don’t Die (2019) is a deadpan zombie comedy that skewers small-town America, consumerism, and the undead trope itself. latestnetflix.com's read is that with a star-studded cast including Bill Murray, Adam Driver, and Tilda Swinton, the film blends horror, humor, and social commentary—but its making-of story is just as intriguing as its on-screen antics.
A Star-Studded Ensemble with Jarmusch’s Signature Vibe
The film’s cast reads like a who’s who of indie cinema royalty. Bill Murray and Adam Driver lead as small-town cops navigating a zombie apocalypse, while Tilda Swinton plays a mysterious Scottish mortician with a samurai sword. Supporting roles include Selena Gomez as a hipster traveler, Steve Buscemi as a racist farmer, and Tom Waits as a hermit narrating the chaos 
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reSaOvBAaxQ
Jarmusch’s films thrive on improvisation and dry wit, and The Dead Don’t Die is no exception. Murray, a frequent collaborator, has hinted in interviews that the film’s tone was shaped by the cast’s chemistry. In one clip, he jokes about the absurdity of the premise, calling it a "zombie movie for people who don’t like zombie movies" . Driver, meanwhile, delivers some of the film’s most quotable lines—including a meta moment where his character casually predicts the ending, a nod to Jarmusch’s self-aware style.
A Low-Key Shoot with High-Concept Humor
Unlike big-budget zombie blockbusters, The Dead Don’t Die was a modest production. Filmed in upstate New York, the movie leans into its small-town aesthetic, with Jarmusch reportedly encouraging the cast to embrace the film’s deadpan humor. Swinton’s character, a fan-favorite, was reportedly inspired by Jarmusch’s love of martial arts films, adding a surreal edge to the undead chaos .
The film’s soundtrack, featuring original songs by Sturgill Simpson, also reflects Jarmusch’s musical sensibilities. Simpson’s twangy, apocalyptic tunes underscore the film’s satirical tone, blending seamlessly with the absurdist humor.
Mixed Reception and Cult Appeal
Upon release, The Dead Don’t Die divided critics. Some praised its clever subversion of zombie tropes, while others found its pacing and humor too niche. Rotten Tomatoes lists it as a "Certified Fresh" film, though audience scores were more polarized . The film’s 5.4/10 rating on SensCritique suggests it wasn’t a universal hit, but its cult following has grown over time, thanks to Jarmusch’s dedicated fanbase .
The Legacy of Jarmusch’s Undead Experiment
The Dead Don’t Die may not have been a box-office smash, but it’s a quintessential Jarmusch project—quirky, self-aware, and packed with offbeat charm. The film’s behind-the-scenes stories, from Murray’s deadpan interviews to Swinton’s sword-wielding antics, only add to its appeal. Whether you love it or find it too slow, there’s no denying it’s a zombie movie unlike any other.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.