The Dead Donโt Hurt (2023), directed by Viggo Mortensen, is a Western set in the 1860s. It tells the story of Vivienne Le Coudy (Vicky Krieps), a resilient French-Canadian woman, and Holger Olsen (Viggo Mortensen), a Danish immigrant and Civil War veteran. The two fall in love and settle in Elk Flats, Nevada.
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Holger leaves to fight in the Union Army, leaving Vivienne to face the corrupt town alone. The mayor, Rudolph Schiller (Danny Huston), and his partner, Weston Jeffries, make life difficult, but Vivienne fights to protect her home.
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The film uses a nonlinear structure, exploring Vivienne and Holgerโs love story and the challenges they endure. Vivienneโs strength and independence shine as she overcomes adversity.
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Critics praised Kriepsโ powerful performance and Mortensenโs direction. The stark landscapes and emotional depth make the film a compelling modern Western.