The Dead Don’t Die

The Dead Don’t Die

Year: 1975

Runtime: 74 mins

Language: English

Director: Curtis Harrington

TV MovieThrillerHorror

A solitary sailor in the 1930s is determined to clear his brother’s name after a wrongful execution for murder. His quest pulls him into a dark occult realm where a zombie‑master commands an army of the undead, using the risen dead to serve his nefarious purposes. The sailor must confront this horde alone and stop the necromancer before his brother’s soul—and countless others—are lost.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Dead Don’t Die yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – The Dead Don’t Die (1975)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Dead Don’t Die (1975). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary (present day)

The movie takes place in recent times, evident from modern technology such as cell phones, radios, and social media. The events unfold over a few days, emphasizing the sudden and surreal nature of the zombie outbreak in an everyday setting.

Location

Centreville, Forest, Cemetery, Town

Centreville is a typical small town experiencing inexplicable phenomena, including disrupted natural laws and strange occurrences. The town features forests, cemeteries, and local establishments like diners and gas stations, which become battlegrounds amid the zombie outbreak. The environment reflects a quiet, rural setting disrupted by chaos and supernatural events.

🏙️ Small Town 🌲 Forest ⚰️ Cemetery 🏚️ Abandoned Locations

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:46

Main Characters – The Dead Don’t Die (1975)

Meet the key characters of The Dead Don’t Die (1975), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Chief Cliff Robertson (Bill Murray)

Cliff is a seasoned yet bemused police chief who approaches the zombie apocalypse with dry humor and skepticism. He exhibits a sense of calm and stoicism, but struggles with the increasingly bizarre events around him, reflecting a resigned attitude towards chaos.

🧑‍✈️ Leader 😏 Sarcastic 🧟‍♀️ Unflappable

Officer Ronnie Petersen (Adam Driver)

Ronnie is a cautious and somewhat anxious officer who is more sensitive to the supernatural threat. His awareness of the absurdity and seriousness of the situation contrasts with Cliff's more laid-back stance, and he often foresees doom.

🚓 Vigilant 😟 Anxious 🌟 Meta-aware

Zelda Winston (Tilda Swinton)

Zelda is an eccentric undertaker with a mysterious aura and Scottish accent. She exhibits a calm but bizarre demeanor, demonstrating her strange skills with a katana and awareness of otherworldly elements, symbolizing the supernatural aspect of the story.

⚰️ Eccentric 🧙‍♀️ Mystical 🎭 Enigmatic

Farmers Frank Miller (Steve Buscemi)

Frank is a skeptical farmer who experiences the chaos firsthand as his animals and property are affected. His practical, no-nonsense attitude underscores the rural perspective on the unfolding disaster.

👨‍🌾 Practical 💪 Resilient 🐕 Animal Lover

Zoe (Selena Gomez)

Zoe is a young, resourceful traveler trying to navigate the chaos. Her interactions reflect teenage resilience and a desire to survive amidst absurd circumstances.

🧑‍🎓 Youthful 💡 Resourceful 🌟 Hopeful

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:46

Major Themes – The Dead Don’t Die (1975)

Explore the central themes of The Dead Don’t Die (1975), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧟‍♂️ Undead Apocalypse

The film explores the chaos and absurdity of a zombie apocalypse, highlighting societal collapse and the inability of ordinary people to respond effectively. It satirizes disaster movies by combining horror with dark humor, illustrating how society and individuals react to the surreal threat of reanimated corpses.

🌎 Environmental Consequences

The story subtly links the outbreak to ecological issues, specifically polar fracking, which is depicted as causing environmental chaos and unnatural phenomena. This theme emphasizes human impact on nature and hints at consequences of environmental neglect.

🎭 Existential Humor

The film blends horror with meta-commentary and humor, breaking the fourth wall and reflecting on genre conventions. Characters are aware of the absurdity of their circumstances, highlighting themes of existentialism within a humorous context.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:46

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of The Dead Don’t Die

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Dead Don’t Die in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Dead Don’t Die is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Dead Don’t Die Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Dead Don’t Die, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Dead Don’t Die Summary

The Dead Don’t Die Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Dead Don’t Die with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Dead Don’t Die Timeline

The Dead Don’t Die Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Dead Don’t Die that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Dead Don’t Die Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Dead Don’t Die

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Dead Don’t Die: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Dead Don’t Die

Explore More About Movie The Dead Don’t Die

The Dead Don’t Die (1975) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The Dead Don’t Die (1975) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The Dead Don’t Die (1975) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow