David Lynch is the director of nine feature films and two television series’ and over 100 total films. He began his critically acclaimed film career in the 60’s. He is most well known for Twin Peaks 1990, Dune 1984, and Blue Velvet 1986.

“Legendary director David Lynch has died age 78, leaving fans and friends devastated. His work as an artist and filmmaker was so distinct it birthed the phrase Lynchian to describe the singular macabre and surreal mood he created with his art,” writes The Standard in their tribute to the beloved director. Many people were greatly affected by the artist’s death on January 16 2025 as many were affected by his life. The cinematic icon, visual artist, filmmaker, actor, writer, and visionary will have a place in many people’s hearts long after his death. “I like him even though I don’t know that much about him. He’s cool. He gets dreamy with it,” says Aster McNulty.

Lynch’s works are known for their surreal, unsettling, American psychological thrillers, and unique filmography. Lynch’s niche style became known as Lynchian. Medium magazine writes, “Lynch is a multi-faceted artist. A modern day Renaissance Man… Lynch’s talents extend to various mediums, allowing him to explore his artistic-vision in multiple dimensions. His interest in art, design, and literature have greatly influenced his filmmaking style, making his works visually stunning and narratively complex.” And Lynch himself says, “I haven’t got a clue. I think when you’re inside of it, you can’t see it. So I don’t know.”

“I had a dream. In fact, it was the night I met you.” Blue Velvet follows the story of a man, Jeffrey Beaumont, after he finds a human ear in the grass. The American horror follows Jeffrey as he tries to track down the rest of the body and the murderer. When he suspects a local lounge singer, Dorothy Vallens,  for the supposed murder he follows her home to solve the case, only to find things more complicated than he’d dreamed. Dreams turn into nightmares, haunting yet beautiful. The film incorporates the abstract element of surrealism as well as clear symbolism and messages throughout the story. “I had a dream. In fact, it was the night I met you. In the dream, there was our world, and the world was dark because there weren’t any robins and the robins represented love. And for the longest time, there was just this darkness.”  Though Lynch illustrates many disturbing and awful things that exists he does so to show that there is hope and love and they can exist simultaneously.

“I know that he was an incredible director; he pushed a lot of artistic and industry boundaries with his filmmaking,” says Esme Thorne. Blue Velvet is one of his most acclaimed works and for good reason. The film is masterfully shot and the dialogue is strong as well as beautiful. Lynch is the master of ethereal, dreamily disturbing mysteries, but this one is a particular favorite of mine and many others. His films are a big reflection of society and the world as a whole. It shows that though there will always be “evil” and it may seem hopeless, it never is. “I don’t know why people expect art to make sense, when they accept the fact that life doesn’t make sense,” says Lynch. Because of the film’s abstract nature, they are a reflection of the viewer’s own experiences which is why people have a wide range of interpretations. A film review on letterboxd says, “No one can capture the feeling of a fever dream like David Lynch.”

Though Blue Velvet is one of his most popular films it may not be all fans favorite. “I was rewatching, for the second time the other day Mulholland Drive and that’s probably one of my favorites by him,” Esme notes. Twin Peaks is also a popular choice of his works. “Twin Peaks generally was also just a really incredible storyline and all the spin offs too,” Naima Gomez begins, “It really gave the viewer a really good sense of the world; it felt like you were living in it.” When describing David Lynch’s portrayal of women in film Naima says, “it’s not degrading or dehumanizing and its not this clean cut sort of posh girl, Laura Palmer, she’s sort of free.” Lynch writes a variety of women: strong women, innocent women, “crazy” women, abused women, but all of them are just as human and complex in their feelings, actions, and sufferings. He shows women without conceptualizing them or taking away their identity; that women can be beautiful and that doesn’t take away from their complexity.

As one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, David Lynch remains an iconic film maker and visionary and will continue to be remembered through his legacy. Whether you know of Lynch because of your film obsession, tumblr, pinterest, or mentions from your favorite artists like Ethel Cain or Lana Del Rey, or whether you’re just hearing of him now, his films are relevant both in film culture and the society we live in. “It’s just very like… twisted but beautiful,” says Esme. 

“I had a dream. In fact, it was the night I met you. In the dream, there was our world, and the world was dark because there weren’t any robins and the robins represented love. And for the longest time, there was just this darkness. And all of a sudden, thousands of robins were set free, and they flew down and brought this blinding light of love. And it seemed like that love would be the only thing that would make any difference. And it did. So, I guess it means there is trouble ’til the robins come.”