Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Surreal Western challenges genre; violence, language, sex.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Dead Man
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In DEAD MAN, after the death of his parents, unassuming accountant William Blake (Johnny Depp) heads out West on a train to a town called Machine. There, he's promised a job at Dickinson's Metal Works, but finds no place for him when he arrives. After a night at the local tavern and a shoot-out, Blake is left wounded and wanted for murder. Stumbling into the "wild," he meets Native American Nobody (Gary Farmer), who not only helps him physically, but on a spiritual journey as well.
Is It Any Good?
This trippy black-and-white Western from subversive filmmaker Jim Jarmusch is rich with his characteristic mix of existentialism, outsider antiheroes, deadpan humor, and avant-garde flourishes. With Dead Man, he deconstructs the Western genre and challenges its tropes, while creating something unique, dreamlike, and playfully tongue-in-cheek. Its starry cast—Depp is supported by appearances from Iggy Pop, Crispin Glover, John Hurt, Gabriel Byrne, and Billy Bob Thornton—and a soundtrack by Neil Young help to widen the movie's appeal further. There's a lot of stillness and contemplation, which may not appeal to those drawn to the genre for its shoot-outs and bar brawls, but its offbeat, mood-driven style certainly has a lingering presence that will appeal to fans of the director and may well pull in a few new recruits.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Dead Man fits in the Western genre. Did you recognize any tropes of the genre? How did the film subvert some of the typical stereotypes found in Westerns?
Discuss the violence in the movie. Do you think it was the right level, or was there too much? What are some of the moments that stood out as particularly scary or gory for you? Would the movie be as impactful without the violence?
How were Native Americans portrayed in the film? How did the character of Nobody go some way to challenging stereotypes? Why is it important to be aware of how different groups are shown on-screen and challenge racist portrayals?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. What did it contribute? Is a certain kind of language expected in a film like this?
How were sex and nudity handled in the film? Was it sensitive? Gratuitous? What's the difference? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 5, 1996
- On DVD or streaming : April 12, 2011
- Cast : Johnny Depp , Gary Farmer , Lance Henriksen
- Director : Jim Jarmusch
- Studio : Miramax
- Genre : Western
- Topics : Adventures
- Run time : 121 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : moments of strong violence, a graphic sex scene and some language
- Last updated : June 22, 2026
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