In the pilot episode of Twin Peaks, David Lynch masterfully captures the mundane rhythms of daily life in a high school setting. A student sneaks a cigarette, another is summoned to the principal's office, and attendance is taken in class. The scene shifts abruptly when a police officer enters, whispering to the teacher. A scream pierces the air, and through the window, a student is seen running across the courtyard. The teacher struggles to hold back tears, signaling an impending announcement. The camera then focuses on an empty seat, as two students exchange a knowing glance, realizing their friend Laura Palmer is dead.
Lynch's talent for capturing surface-level details of life is evident, yet he consistently delves deeper, revealing the unsettling undercurrents that lurk beneath. This scene from Twin Peaks epitomizes the thematic essence of his career, subtly introducing the idea that something is always amiss. However, it's not the only defining moment in Lynch's extensive body of work, which spans over four decades. Each fan of his might highlight a different scene or film as their favorite, reflecting the diverse appeal of his singular artistic voice.
The term "Lynchian" encapsulates this unsettling, dream-like quality that has made David Lynch a legend. His passing is a profound loss for fans, as he was an artist whose work resonated uniquely with each individual. "Lynchian" joins an elite group of adjectives like "Kafkaesque," which transcend the specifics of the work they describe to evoke a broader sense of unease and disorientation.
For many budding film enthusiasts, watching Lynch's Eraserhead was a rite of passage. Decades later, this tradition continued with Lynch's teenage son, who, alongside his father, embarked on his own journey through Lynch's films. The son and his girlfriend even started binge-watching Twin Peaks on their own, reaching the Windom Earle era of Season 2.
Lynch's work has an enduring, timeless quality that defies easy categorization. In Twin Peaks: The Return (2017), he crafted a world where a child's bedroom evokes the 1950s, while the narrative unfolds in a surreal, dystopian reality. This series defied the nostalgia-driven trend in Hollywood by refusing to rely on the return of beloved characters, staying true to Lynch's unconventional approach.
When Lynch ventured into mainstream Hollywood with Dune, the result was a notorious misfire, yet unmistakably his. Despite the challenges, as detailed in Max Evry's book A Masterpiece in Disarray, Lynch infused the film with his signature bizarre imagery, like the infamous cat/rat milking machine. His second feature, The Elephant Man, though more conventional, remains a poignant exploration of beauty and humanity amidst a dark historical backdrop.
Lynch's films, such as Blue Velvet, often juxtapose the idyllic facade of Americana with a darker, surreal reality. The film follows an amateur detective delving into a world far removed from the white picket fences and wholesome appearances, revealing the unsettling truths beneath. Lynch's work consistently peels back the curtain on the world we live in, exposing the hidden layers.
Lynch's influence extends to a new generation of filmmakers. In 2024's I Saw The TV Glow, directed by Jane Schoenbrun, a scene at a bar with its floating camera, theatrical wardrobe, and red strobing lights evokes a distinctly Lynchian atmosphere. Filmmakers like Yorgos Lanthimos, Robert Eggers, Ari Aster, David Robert Mitchell, Emerald Fennell, Richard Kelly, Rose Glass, Quentin Tarantino, and Denis Villeneuve have all drawn from Lynch's well of surrealism and dark comedy, each adding their own twist to the "Lynchian" legacy.
David Lynch's impact on cinema is undeniable, marking the end of an era. His films not only evoke nostalgia for a bygone time but also explore the worlds just beyond our usual perception. As we continue to seek out those "Lynchian" elements lurking beneath the surface, his influence on future filmmakers remains a testament to his enduring legacy.
