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The Dead Don't Die

The Dead Don't Die is a 2019 American zombie comedy film written and directed by Jim Jarmusch.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Dead Don't Die is a 2019 American zombie comedy film written and directed by Jim Jarmusch. Set in the fictional town of Centerville, it follows local police and other residents as they respond to a sudden undead invasion.

Premise

The film is set in Centerville, where unusual events precede a zombie outbreak. Local police officers and other townspeople attempt to contain the undead threat.

Cast

The ensemble cast includes Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Chloë Sevigny, Steve Buscemi, Tilda Swinton, Tom Waits, Danny Glover, Caleb Landry Jones, Rosie Perez, Iggy Pop, Carol Kane, RZA, Austin Butler, and Selena Gomez.

Release

The Dead Don't Die premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 14, 2019, and was released in the United States by Focus Features on June 14, 2019.

Genre and style

The film is described as a zombie comedy and horror comedy, with reviewers and promotional material also characterizing it as absurdist and metacinematic.

Key facts

  • The film is an absurdist and metacinematic zombie comedy written and directed by Jim Jarmusch.
  • It premiered as the opening film of the 2019 Cannes Film Festival.
  • The story centers on a small-town police force confronting a zombie outbreak in Centerville.
  • Its ensemble cast includes Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Tilda Swinton, and Steve Buscemi.
  • The film was released in U.S. cinemas on June 14, 2019.
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Canadian context

The film screened internationally and is part of the broader North American independent-film circuit that Canadian audiences and festivals frequently follow, but it has no clearly documented Canada-specific subject matter in the provided sources.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Dead Don't Die?
It is a 2019 American zombie comedy film written and directed by Jim Jarmusch.
Who directed The Dead Don't Die?
Jim Jarmusch wrote and directed the film.
When was The Dead Don't Die released?
It premiered at Cannes on May 14, 2019, and opened in U.S. cinemas on June 14, 2019.
Where is the film set?
The story takes place in the fictional small town of Centerville.
Who stars in The Dead Don't Die?
The cast includes Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Chloë Sevigny, Steve Buscemi, Tilda Swinton, Tom Waits, and several others.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dead_Don't_Die_(2019_film)
    Supports: Identifies the film as a 2019 American absurdist zombie comedy written and directed by Jim Jarmusch, and lists the main cast.
  2. Wikipedia — https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dead_Don't_Die_(film)
    Supports: States that the film premiered as the opening film of the Cannes Film Festival on May 14, 2019, and was released in the United States on June 14, 2019.
  3. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/80244534
    Supports: Describes the plot as a celestial event raising the dead in Centerville and lists genre and cast.
  4. Focus Features / YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs5ZOcU6Bnw
    Supports: Confirms the film was written and directed by Jim Jarmusch, gives the theatrical release timing, and lists the ensemble cast.
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_dead_dont_die_2019
    Supports: Provides the release date, genre, and rating information.