The Dead Don't Die (soundtrack)
The Dead Don't Die (Original Score) is the film score for Jim Jarmusch’s 2019 movie The Dead Don’t Die. It was written by SQÜRL, Jarmusch’s band, and features dialogue from the film. The soundtrack runs 34 minutes and 43 seconds and was released on June 14, 2019 by Back Lot Music. The album includes the original score and film dialogue.
SQÜRL, made up of Jim Jarmusch and Carter Logan, began scoring the movie from the start. They wrote rough demos with guitars and synthesizers and avoided using temp tracks. The music was developed during weekly spotting sessions with editor Affonso Gonçalves. They aimed for a darker sound, drawing inspiration from John Carpenter, Ennio Morricone, Krzysztof Komeda, Bernard Herrmann, and Tangerine Dream.
The score was released digitally and on CD on June 14, 2019, with vinyl LPs released by Sacred Bones Records on October 4, 2019. The project had been connected to a planned Sturgill Simpson theme song, but the team ultimately focused on the score. Critics praised the music as inventive and effective at shaping the film’s mood.
Reception highlights:
- The Film Scorer called the score experimental and highly effective in supporting the film.
- Ines Lalonde (Mxdwn Music) described it as powerful and evocative with dangerous undertones.
- Todd McCarthy (The Hollywood Reporter) said the songs and score are outstanding, typical for Jarmusch.
- Tim Grierson (Screen International) noted the ambient, mournful feel of SQÜRL’s work, creating a sense of bleakness.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 22:10 (CET).