The Western film genre may be experiencing a revival, with recent releases and upcoming projects generating excitement among fans. Taylor Sheridan's TV series '1883' has been praised as one of the best Western series in a long time, while Kevin Costner's involvement in the Western epic 'Horizon: An American Saga' has further fueled interest in the genre.
Adding to the resurgence is Viggo Mortensen's return to the director's chair with 'The Dead Don’t Hurt,' a film in which he also stars alongside Vicky Krieps. The story follows Krieps' character, Vivienne Le Coudy, as she embarks on a journey with Mortensen's Danish immigrant character, Holger Olsen, from San Francisco to Elk Flats, Nevada.
As Olsen joins the Union army to fight against slavery, Vivienne finds herself surrounded by unsavory characters in Elk Flats, including the mayor Rudolph Schiller and rancher Alfred Jeffries, portrayed by Danny Huston and Garret Dillahunt, respectively. The film takes a dark turn with the arrival of Jeffries' son Weston, played by Solly McLeod, leading to intense and dramatic confrontations.
Early reviews of 'The Dead Don’t Hurt' have been positive, with comparisons to classic Western directors like John Ford and Howard Hawks. Described as a blend of survival, romance, and traditional Western elements, the film showcases Mortensen's talent as both an actor and director.
With the film set to hit theaters on May 31st, fans of the Western genre are eagerly anticipating its release. The combination of strong performances, compelling storytelling, and the resurgence of interest in Western themes has created a buzz around 'The Dead Don’t Hurt' and the potential revival of the genre as a whole.
Whether this marks a true revival of the Western genre remains to be seen, but the promising lineup of recent and upcoming projects suggests a renewed interest in exploring the themes and settings of the Old West on screen.
