The visionary filmmaker David Lynch passed away earlier this month, leaving behind a monumental legacy that continues to inspire legendary auteurs, just as it has for the past 50 years. Lynch was born in 1946 in Montana. He created his first film in 1967 while studying at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, a 60-second animation entitled Six Men Getting Sick. From there he took a huge leap and began to develop his first feature film Eraserhead, which was released in 1977. At first, the film was panned by critics for its bizarre and terrifying visuals. A reviewer for the New York Times referred to the film as “murkily pretentious.” However, over time, the film became a cult classic for many and now receives almost entirely positive acclaim. Eraserhead’s surreal nature and dark undertones would come to be a staple of Lynch’s filmography. Lynch would go on to direct and write a number of massively influential pieces of film and televison. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director for his work on The Elephant Man, and his Twin Peaks series, composed of both movies and shows, received critical acclaim, as well as five Emmy nominations.
Lynch’s unique style has been praised and studied by filmmakers since he burst into the scene with Eraserhead. When Stanley Kubrick was filming The Shining, he reportedly set up a screening of Lynch’s debut feature for the cast and crew, in order to “put them in the mood” for their foray in the “Overlook Hotel.” Many titans of the Hollywood industry took to social media and press outlets when the news of Lynch’s death broke, to remember the man for his unique and powerful filmmaking style, as well as his fun and loving nature. Steven Spielberg wrote that Lynch was “one of his heroes” and Lara Flynn Boyle, one of the stars of Twin Peaks, referred to the director as “the Willy Wonka of filmmaking.”
Lynch’s style is so influential that the term “Lynchian,” was coined to describe works of film and television that appear to intentionally or unintentionally emulate his work. The Oxford English Dictionary added the adjective to its pages in 2018, defining it officially as work that is “characteristic, reminiscent, or imitative of the films or television work of David Lynch.” Something that is Lynchian often includes surreal imagery which creates a sense of horror or confusion from the mundane things in our everyday life. Lynch loved to contort the familiar into the peculiar, pointing out the weirdness in everything we take for granted. Another aspect of Lynch’s work is his honest commitment to the absurd. Lynch’s films never wink at the camera or acknowledge the weirdness that oozes from his shots. While the audience may let out an awkward laugh every now and then when confronted with the bizarre elements on screen, Lynch and his actors will blaze right on through.

Movies such as Punch-Drunk Love, Donnie Darko and Eyes Wide Shut have all been described as “Lynchian,” as it is clear the filmmakers involved have been heavily motivated and influenced by Lynch’s filmography. The creators of The Sopranos and Mad Men also credit Lynch as being a huge inspiration, opening the door for the potential of big budget televison programs with Twin Peaks. However, films and television are not the only place we can find some of Lynch’s lasting influence. The video game industry has been building new stories from Lynch’s ideas for the past 30 years now. Creators of popular series such as Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, and Final Fantasy have all talked about how they owe much of their initial inspiration to David Lynch’s work, citing his themes of the horrors of “life’s uncertainties” and his use of surreal yet powerful imagery.
David Lynch’s absence will surely be felt by many around the world, from those who worked with him in Hollywood, to the even greater number of people who his films have inspired, intrigued and disgusted around the world. If you are looking to watch something truly Lynchian, The Elephant Man, Mulholland Drive, and Blue Velvet are all great films to get a taste for his truly unique style. If you are looking for something less “out there,” but still want to get a taste of his work, I would recommend The Straight Story, a film that sprung from the suprising yet heartwarming collaboration between Lynch and Walt Disney Pictures.