The Dead Don't Hurt
The Dead Don't Hurt

The Dead Don't Hurt

2024Movie130 minEnglish

In the 1860s, fiercely independent French-Canadian Vivienne Le Coudy embarks on a journey with Danish immigrant Holger Olsen, attempting to forge a life together in the dusty town of Elk Flats, Nevada. When Holger decides to go fight for the Union in the burgeoning Civil War, Vivienne must fend for herself, which isn't easy in a town controlled by a corrupt mayor.

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Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes67%
Metacritic59/100
Google Users70%
Director: Viggo MortensenGenres: Western, Drama

Plot Summary

Set in 1860s Nevada, 'The Dead Don't Hurt' follows Vivienne, a Danish immigrant, and her partner Holger, an adventurer. Their peaceful life is shattered when the Civil War disrupts their community, forcing Vivienne to confront a ruthless figure from her past. The film explores themes of resilience, survival, and the harsh realities of the American West.

Critical Reception

The film received a mixed to positive reception, with critics praising Mortensen's directorial debut and the performances, particularly Fanning's. However, some found the narrative pacing uneven and the violence gratuitous. It garnered attention on the festival circuit.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its ambitious scope and Mortensen's assured direction in his debut.
  • Garrett Hedlund and Elle Fanning deliver compelling performances.
  • Some reviewers noted the film's deliberate pacing and challenging portrayal of violence.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's dramatic storytelling and the central performances, finding it a thought-provoking Western. Some viewers felt the plot could be more engaging and the overall tone somber.

Fun Fact

Viggo Mortensen not only directed and wrote 'The Dead Don't Hurt' but also composed the original score for the film.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
r96sk

r96sk

I almost warmed to it by its conclusion, but I don't think I can describe <em>'The Dead Don’t Hurt'</em> as anything that I rate well. I found no interest in anything that was onscreen, disappointingly. The story failed to grab me and th...
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Despite the fact that the plot has plenty of holes, this western just about works. It's all about the determined "Vivienne" (Vicky Krieps), very much a woman in a man's world of pioneering in the 1860s. She encounters the honest and thought...