The Dead Don't Hurt (15)

★★★ A Western that hits many of the expected beats but which does so in an unexpected manner, being centred on a tender, loving relationship rather than gunplay and grit. ~ Empire.

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From writer director Viggo Mortensen comes a powerful new western about love and survival that is both epic and intimate.

In a frontier town run by corrupt forces, fiercely independent Vivienne Le Coudy (Vicky Krieps) embarks on a relationship with the passionate, hard-working Holger Olsen (Viggo Mortensen) but it’s one that leads to danger for them both.

With the threat of the Civil War looming, their future becomes uncertain when Holger decides to fight for the Union, leaving Vivienne on her own to face the dangerous threats of the corrupt mayor (Danny Huston), the power-hungry ranch owner (Garret Dillahunt) and the rancher’s violent son (Solly McLeod).

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★★★★ Viggo Mortensen's sombre take on the western evokes some classic Clint Eastwood films. ~ Little White Lies.

★★★★ The star directs, writes, composes and acts in this beautifully shot and sombre film about an old-school hero in a 19th-century frontier community fraught with tragedy. ~ The Guardian.

★★★★ ~ Financial Times.

★★★★ ~ The Telegraph.

★★★★ ~ Radio Times.

★★★★ ~ The Times.

★★★★ ~ Total Film.