The Dead Don’t Hurt is a Western drama set on the American frontier during the Civil War. The film follows two pioneers who fall in love and try to build a life in a brutal, lawless world. Their relationship drives the story and gives the film its emotional core.

As the war spreads across the country, its violence and instability reach even the most remote territories. Power shifts quickly, justice breaks down, and danger surrounds them. The frontier tests their resolve at every turn. The land itself is unforgiving, and other people often pose an even greater threat. Survival demands hard choices, courage, and sacrifice.

Love does not protect the couple from loss, but it gives them purpose. They fight to hold on to each other while facing betrayal, cruelty, and grief. Each decision shapes their future. The film emphasizes strength and independence, especially in the face of systems designed to deny safety and fairness.

Rather than celebrate violence, The Dead Don’t Hurt confronts its consequences. Conflict leaves lasting scars and forces the characters to grow or break under pressure. Quiet moments of reflection stand alongside sudden danger, creating a tense and grounded rhythm.

Visually restrained and emotionally direct, the film strips the Western of romantic myth. It focuses on human cost instead of conquest. At its heart, The Dead Don’t Hurt tells a story about endurance. It shows how love survives in a world defined by war, loss, and relentless hardship.

Director: Viggo Mortensen

Stars: Vicky Krieps, Viggo Mortensen, Solly McLeod

We are especially grateful to the Sheffield Foundation for sponsoring this screening.