Film: The Dead Don’t Hurt

I’m not shy to admit that my film snobbishness includes a blank love of all projects by a particular person. When I love a filmmaker, I trust their choices and will watch anything in their filmography. So when I heard about The Dead Don’t Hurt, the new film directed and starring Viggo Mortensen, I was excited to see what this versatile actor could do with a Western.

The Dead Don’t Hurt is a film set in the time of pioneer spirit of the 1860s. Two European immigrants, French Canadian Vivienne Le Coudy (Vicky Krieps) and Danish Holger Olsen (Mortensen) form an unlikely bond as they traverse the frontier in search of new beginnings. This sense of exploration is short-lived as they both get caught up and separated during the eruption of the Civil War.

I grew up in a film household, and while my parents’ tastes varied quite a bit, then one genre they agreed on was the Western. You would think that this shared influence would have created a Western child, yet I never gravitated to the genre in my youth., Embarrassingly, I still don’t, but when I find one that grabs my attention, that hold is secure. The Western has been around for a century, we know what to expect, but nothing challenges our appreciation for something other than a fresh version. The Dead Don’t Hurt might be one of my favorite Westerns of all time because it takes the genre and creates something unique. It’s unexpected but also fits. This is a complicated point in our history, so seeing it play out this way allows the audience to appreciate what life was like beyond the pages of our history books.

I can’t be the only one who thinks Mortensen needs to teach a master class in masculine characters, because it’s hard to find another actor who can embody the complexity of the human spirit represented through a male. Olsen isn’t always the idealistic partner, but you still find a way to root for him. The Dead Don’t Hurt allows Olsen to leave room for the independent woman in his life, played with vigor and strength by Krieps. 

My knowledge of Krieps is limited (Phantom Thread) but even with that being the only film I’ve seen her in, I knew I was in for a ride. This is a beautiful character to be placed in this time, and while it’s not unusual, it is unique in how it’s portrayed in The Dead Don’t Hurt. Her desire to be independent yet also yearn for companionship is refreshing. She doesn’t shy away from duality but instead digs her heels in. The “American Pioneer Dream” allows us to strive for what we truly want, and not conform to this idea of gender hierarchy. With two films knocked out of the park, I think Krieps has to be added to my ‘do no wrong’ filmmaker list.

It’s because of these authentic and invigorating characters that make me fall in love with their love story. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy love stories. Yet, as much as I enjoy them I also despise them. I’m tired of being told that in order to find true love you have to sacrifice a piece of yourself. The Dead Don’t Hurt proves that notion wrong. Our heroes change quite a bit through their journey together (and apart), yet they never hold that change against the other. They acknowledge the evolution, accept the growth, and find a way to move forward together. Strangely, this move of the past helps me have faith in my future.

The Dead Don’t Hurt leaves the audience speechless in the best way. It’s an inspiring take on a classic genre with two actors who don’t get enough credit for their extraordinary talent. Love, Independence, Determination, and Forgiveness play out in a picturesque landscape that deserves to be seen on the big screen. I hope Mortensen continues his film Triple Threat (write-direct-star) because his vision requires our attention.

The Dead Don’t Hurt opened in nationwide theaters on May 31.

Written by: Lisa M Mejia
Images provided by Shout! Studios