Dead Man

Dead Man (1995)

  • 71% of critics liked it
    (35 reviews)

  • 85% of users liked it
    (52,463 ratings)

A dark, bitter commentary on modern American life cloaked in the form of a surrealist western, Jim Jarmusch's Dead Man stars Johnny Depp as William Blake, a newly-orphaned accountant who leaves his home in Cleveland to accept a job in the frontier town of Machine. Upon his arrival, Blake is told by… More

R, 2 hr. 1 min.
Directed By
Jim Jarmusch
Written By
Jim Jarmusch
Genres
Western, Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy
In Theaters
May 26, 1995 Wide
On DVD
Jul 3, 2001
Miramax

Critic Reviews

  • John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

    It seems to be Blake's name as much as anything that propels the character deep into a strange frontier where Blakean ideals of innocence and integrity have been obliterated by ignorance and cruelty.

  • Phil Coldiron, Slant Magazine

    An intensely intelligent look at American history and a blueprint for how to (un)make it, from one of our country's finest directors.

  • Anton Bitel, Eye for Film

    a low-key classic of strangely poetic beauty - a western for sleepwalkers and dreamers.

  • Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

    I was held by Depp's transformation from white-man non-entity to the Jarmusch version of the affectless Man With No Name.

  • Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

    Jarmusch's lyrical update on the western genre is a real joy.

Read all 11 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Cynthia S


    Well, this was the 2nd time that I watched this..thinking that maybe I missed how good this was supposed to be the first time. No. I still am not sure what all the hype is about. This is just ok to me...

  • Randy T


    Most of the disparagement that has been heaped on Jim Jarmusch's <i>Dead Man</i> is unjust and undeserved. What an under-appreciated gem of a film.

  • Graham J


    Jarmusch's take on the western with a perfect performance from Johnny Depp.

  • Daniel P


    Hauntingly good film. Episodic, full of blackouts and a grinding Neil Young soundtrack, this is a neo-neo-realist take on a simple Western story, full of disillusionment and pain but also insight and laughter. More than anything, this film makes its money with its style, somehow… More

  • AJ V


    I'll admit, I didn't get to see this movie to the end, and I only wanted to see the scene with Crispin Glover, which was strange, but slightly funny. I didn't understand this movie, but I should probably see the rest of it.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

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