Viggo Mortensen’s second directorial effort, The Dead Don’t Hurt, strives to subvert the traditional Western by focusing on intimate character moments rather than the genre’s usual gunfights and larger-than-life showdowns. This revisionist approach brings the film closer to the meditative tones of The Power of the Dog rather than classic Westerns, offering a drama that seeks to unpack emotional truths in a harsh and unforgiving landscape.
At the heart of the movie is Vicky Krieps, whose nuanced, commanding performance as Vivienne Le Coudy anchors much of the story’s emotional resonance. As a French Canadian barmaid who builds a life with Danish immigrant Holger Olsen (played by Mortensen), Krieps brings a quiet strength and vulnerability to her role that elevates the material. Mortensen, meanwhile, delivers a subdued performance that trades in stoicism for sensitivity, showcasing his willingness to deconstruct traditional ideas of Western masculinity.
The story spans decades, weaving through Vivienne’s past, present, and future. After settling in Elk Flats, Nevada—a town controlled by corrupt landowner Alfred Jeffries (Garret Dillahunt) and his son Weston (Solly McLeod)—Vivienne faces increasing challenges. When Holger departs to fight for the Union Army during the Civil War, Vivienne’s world unravels as Weston violently asserts control over her life. The film’s narrative structure, told in a non-linear fashion, juxtaposes her childhood, her struggles as an adult, and her final days, offering a sprawling tale that seeks to explore themes of resilience, autonomy, and survival.
However, this ambitious storytelling approach falters. The fragmented editing in the first act, which quickly jumps between timelines, disrupts the movie’s emotional flow and makes it difficult to establish clear stakes or fully immerse in the characters’ journeys. What should feel like an intricate weaving of Vivienne’s life instead becomes a confusing montage that robs key moments of their impact.
Despite its structural missteps, The Dead Don’t Hurt is often saved by its leads. Krieps’ portrayal of Vivienne captures the pain, determination, and quiet defiance of a woman navigating oppression and violence. Mortensen, both behind and in front of the camera, delivers a sensitive performance as Holger, whose relationship with Vivienne is tender and authentic. His direction eschews the macho posturing typically associated with the genre, opting instead for a restrained, poetic style that highlights the emotional weight of its characters’ struggles.
Visually, Mortensen creates a beautiful, stark Western landscape that serves as a fitting backdrop for the story’s emotional intensity. The cinematography captures the ruggedness of the terrain while reflecting Vivienne’s internal battles. However, the film’s pacing often undermines its visual and thematic strengths. Key moments feel rushed or disjointed, and the lack of narrative cohesion prevents the story from fully synthesizing its dramatic and emotional beats.
The Dead Don’t Hurt is a bold attempt at a character-driven Western, elevated by two strong lead performances and striking cinematography. Yet, its non-linear storytelling and inconsistent pacing hinder its ability to resonate as deeply as it could. While Viggo Mortensen deserves credit for crafting a revisionist take on the genre, the movie struggles to maintain momentum or coherence, leaving much of its emotional potential untapped.
Score: 5/10
The Dead Don’t Hurt (2024)
- Cast: Vicky Krieps, Viggo Mortensen, Solly McLeod, Garret Dillahunt, Danny Huston
- Director: Viggo Mortensen
- Genre: Drama, Romance, Western
- Runtime: 130 minutes
- Rated: R
- Release Date: May 31, 2024
More Movies Starring Vicky Krieps
Vicky Krieps has starred in the following movies:
- Phantom Thread (2017)
- Old (2021)
- Bergman Island (2021)
- Corsage (2022)
- The Dead Don’t Hurt (2024)
More Movies Starring Viggo Mortensen
Viggo Mortensen has starred in the following movies:
- Carlito’s Way (1993)
- A History of Violence (2005)
- Eastern Promises (2007)
- Green Book (2018)
- Crimes of the Future (2022)
- The Dead Don’t Hurt (2024)
More Reviews for 2020s Westerns
Cinephile Corner has reviewed the following 2020s Western movies:
- The Old Way (2023)
- Asteroid City (2023)
- Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
- Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 (2024)
- The Dead Don’t Hurt (2024)
