THE DEAD DON’T HURT
Starring: Vicky Krieps, Viggo Mortensen, Solly McLeod, Garret Dillahunt, and W. Earl Brown
Director: Viggo Mortensen
NICK
With his sophomore directorial effort, Viggo Mortensen shows a lot of growth in the way he crafts a film, particularly in how he takes full advantage of the landscapes the film inhabits to create a beautiful western. Where the issues start is in telling the story through a non-linear timeline, a decision that makes things unnecessarily confusing without benefiting the film. It’s also a little sleepy, as it’s not very event filled. At times, it feels like you’re in between missions while playing Red Dead Redemption. The Dead Don’t Hurt is certainly an improvement for Mortensen in the director’s chair, but there’s still some ways to go.
KATIE
The Dead Don’t Hurt draws on classic western themes and archetypes, but is far from your typical action-packed western. The film utilises a non-linear storyline and deliberate, unhurried pacing, focusing on the relationship between the protagonists rather than gunslinging shoot-outs. However, the threat of lawlesness lurks around every corner. Viggo Mortensen gives a compelling performance as Holger, but Vicky Krieps steals every scene as Vivienne, and the film foregrounds her perspective and the hardships she faces. It’s also beautifully shot, making time to indulge in the stunning, sprawling landscapes as well as the intimate moments between the couple.
QUENTIN
While it’s easy to commend the beautiful cinematography and above-average performances (especially Vicky Krieps), the fact remains that The Dead Don’t Hurt just isn’t all that interesting. For one, it isn’t the violent revenge western advertised in the trailers. Instead, it opts for a slow-burn, dusty romance that is ultimately hindered by non-linear storytelling that is unnecessary, confusing, and convoluted. On top of that, it’s way too sleepy, and it fails to flesh out intriguing character dynamics that are only hinted at. I love a good western, but when this is the best we get nowadays, it’s easy to see why it’s a dying genre.
This film was reviewed by Nick as part of Bitesize Breakdown's coverage of the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.