“Vivienne is a woman of her time, she’s not a superhero – but those stories haven’t been told”: Viggo Mortensen and Vicky Krieps on The Dead Don’t Hurt

For his second time stepping behind the camera after 2020’s Falling, the legendary Viggo Mortensen had as a starting point a vision of his mother as a little girl. The story took on a life of its own, settling into a Western with a twist. The Dead Don’t Hurt follows the story of French-Canadian Vivienne (Vicky Krieps), a fiercely independent woman who falls in love with Danish immigrant Olsen (Viggo Mortensen). She follows him to start a simple life on a ranch in a frontier town in Nevada, but their romantic idyll is upset when Olsen is driven to join the Union forces in the Civil War. Left to fend for herself amidst violent, malevolent male forces, hers is a tale of survival and reliance in the face of constant threat.

While all the trappings of a classic Western are beautifully in place, from the dust to the bar to the riders on horseback, Mortensen upends expectations not only by starting his feature with its finale – we first find Vivienne on her death bed – but by focusing in on her story and experiences, rather than the conventional genre outing which would follow the action. The result is something that’s epic and sweeping, while also poignant and deeply moving, the nuanced and mesmerising performance from Krieps the anchor at all times. Its relevance to today will also not be lost on audiences, where war and societal corruption threaten to poison our sense of humanity.

The Upcoming had the privilege of speaking with Mortensen, who took us back to the origins of the project and his compulsion to make it. He spoke of why he cast Krieps and praised her exceptional portrayal of Vivienne, a strong, independent woman inspired by his mother, and how the film challenges Western genre norms, focusing on women’s experiences during historical conflicts.

Ahead of the film’s premiere, Krieps also had a chat with us on the red carpet, revealing her initial connection with the character of Vivienne, a woman ahead of her time who defies societal norms with both strength and vulnerability. Krieps spoke about her approach to embodying her, including her decision to eschew rehearsal in favour of a more organic performance, and the deliberate choice to forgo a corset to enhance the character’s authenticity. Krieps also reflected on the dynamic of working with Mortensen, who directs and co-stars in the film,  the challenges and rewards of navigating his dual roles, and how it influenced her portrayal. The actress shared her thoughts on the physical demands of shooting in rugged Western landscapes and the emotional toll of depicting intense, violent scenes. Krieps further emphasised the film’s innovative perspective, focusing on Vivienne’s story rather than the traditional male-centric narrative, applauding Mortensen’s genuine approach to storytelling and his respectful portrayal of women’s experiences. Finally, she pointed out the film’s relevance to contemporary issues, underscoring its poignant message about humanity and resilience.

Sarah Bradbury

The Dead Don’t Hurt is released nationwide on 7^th June 2024.

Watch the trailer for The Dead Don’t Hurt here: