The title itself stems from the British idiom referring to a situation where progress or promotion only happens when someone senior dies or retires. In the context of the film, it takes on a much darker, literal meaning as Richard steps into the role of an executioner to clear out the "rot" of his town. Final Verdict

Analysing Revenge Films/trailers…’Dead Man’s Shoes’…

: Paddy Considine’s Richard is legendary. One moment he is a quiet, protective brother; the next, he is a "boogeyman" in a gas mask, delivering lines that will give you chills.

: At its heart, the film explores the "lost maternal" and the crisis of masculinity. It's a "comic, touching, and drop-dead terrifying" experience that forces you to empathize with a man who is essentially becoming a monster to avenge an angel. The Meaning of the Name

NSERC CRC CFI TMIC Genome Canada Genome Quebec NIH