The Dead Don't Hurt

 

The Dead Don’t Hurt (2023)

An Unconventional, Slow-Burn Character Study of the West

★★★☆☆

A somber performance showcase that emphasizes the hardships and injustice of the untamed frontier.

Directed by Viggo Mortensen, The Dead Don’t Hurt is a period drama featuring great performances by Mortensen himself and a luminous Vicky Krieps. This is not a traditional Western filled with action sequences; instead, it is a slow-burn tale that utilizes non-linear time shifts to explore the brutal adversity and systemic injustice of the American West. It serves primarily as a haunting performance showcase, particularly for Krieps, under Mortensen's strong and steady directorial hand.

"It's not a particularly satisfying or crowd pleasing story since it features overcoming brutal adversity. But it's entertaining if one is in the mood for an unconventional dramatic character study."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director/Writer: Viggo Mortensen
• Starring: Vicky Krieps, Viggo Mortensen
• Supporting: Solly McLeod, Garret Dillahunt, Danny Huston
• Composer: Viggo Mortensen

The Vision

Viggo Mortensen's vision for this film is one of quiet, tragic realism. By eschewing the typical tropes of the genre—the fast-draw duels and grand vistas—he focuses on the internal lives of those left behind during conflict. The non-linear structure acts as a puzzle, forcing the audience to sit with the consequences of violence before they see the events that led there. It is a mature, somber piece of filmmaking that prioritizes the female experience in a world traditionally dominated by male archetypes.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Triple Threat: In addition to directing and starring, Viggo Mortensen also wrote the screenplay and composed the film's musical score.
• Authenticity First: Mortensen insisted on historical accuracy, including the use of period-correct saddles and costumes that reflected the specific immigrant backgrounds of the characters.
• Multilingual Dialogue: Reflecting the true nature of the 19th-century frontier, the film features dialogue in English, French, and Danish.

✅ Pros

• Luminous, top-tier performance by Vicky Krieps.
• Authentic, meticulously detailed production design.
• A fresh, non-linear approach to the Western genre.

❌ Cons

• Slow-burn pacing may be off-putting for traditional Western fans.
• Deeply somber tone makes for a challenging, non-crowd-pleasing watch.

🏆 Final Verdict

A somber and steady achievement. The Dead Don’t Hurt doesn’t seek to entertain with thrills, but to resonate through its depiction of survival and silent endurance. A must for fans of Vicky Krieps.

View original review on Letterboxd