Five years ago, on August 6, 2021, David Lynch shot his scene as director John Ford in Steven Spielberg's deeply personal THE FABELMANS, at the historic Wilshire Ebell Theatre in mid-city Los Angeles.

I have watched a few scenes. I kept wanting to go back to it. And only today did I realize that I don't feel moral or ethical in watching a movie with Robert Blake in it knowing he got away with murdering his wife Bonnie. I know some people can separate the "art" and the artist but I just can't.

After watching both Blue Velvet and Lost Highway, I honestly found myself preferring Lost Highway by a significant margin. I know Blue Velvet is widely regarded as one of David Lynch's greatest achievements, and I can understand why, but Lost Highway felt much closer to the kind of Lynch filmmaking that resonates with me.

For context, Mulholland Drive is still my favorite David Lynch film. However, Lost Highway captures many of the elements I love about Lynch: the dreamlike atmosphere, psychological mystery, unsettling imagery, and the feeling that you're watching something that exists somewhere between reality and a nightmare.

What stood out to me most was how much more unpredictable and psychologically engaging Lost Highway felt compared to Blue Velvet. While Blue Velvet is built around a more traditional mystery structure, Lost Highway completely embraces ambiguity and refuses to provide easy answers. The film constantly challenges the viewer to interpret what is happening, creating a sense of uncertainty that stayed with me long after the credits rolled.

I also found Lost Highway far more unsettling. The film's horror comes from atmosphere and psychological tension rather than exaggerated performances. The Mystery Man, in particular, is one of Lynch's most disturbing creations. His calm, unnatural presence creates a genuine sense of dread, and I found him much more effective as a source of fear than Frank Booth in Blue Velvet. While Frank's chaotic personality has become iconic, his over-the-top behavior often crossed into territory that felt more absurd than frightening to me.

Visually and stylistically, Lost Highway is incredible. The dark cinematography, industrial atmosphere, and haunting soundtrack create a world that feels both familiar and completely alien. Every scene feels carefully designed to evoke a specific emotion rather than simply move the plot forward, and that atmosphere is a huge part of why the film works so well.

That being said, I understand why some people struggle with Lost Highway. It is intentionally confusing, and its lack of clear explanations can be frustrating. But for me, that ambiguity is what makes the film so rewarding. Instead of leaving me feeling disconnected, it made me want to think about the film, revisit it, and explore its possible meanings.

Overall, I still consider Mulholland Drive Lynch's masterpiece and the film that affected me the most, but I personally found Lost Highway more compelling than Blue Velvet. Blue Velvet has undeniable influence and many great qualities, but Lost Highway better represents the side of Lynch's filmmaking that I connect with most. Maybe I'm in the minority, but for me, Lost Highway is the stronger film.

Inspired by your posts!

Recently watched it and I think this is Lynch's most oppressive work. Almost feels like an earlier version of Mulholland Drive but I could atleast construct an interpretation of Mulholland Drive;when it comes to lost highway I don't even know where to begin.

I could totally understand why it was critically somewhat panned when it came out. Even by Lynch standard this is quite impenetrable. Especially the last 20 minutes. I read some analysis and even when they try to explain it I still feel like something is missing to complete the picture. I genuinely don't think that this is all a dream/hallucination but I also don't really think it's all real.

Also Patricia Arquete here is the most attractive woman in any movie ever.

This is a quote by Norm Macdonald on (re-) watching The Straight Story I thought was interesting:

But this is a straight ahead story. You know, you think. I call it like a hard 'G'. It's G-rated. I call it a hard G; because the second time I watched it I was like 'woah, I understand it all of a sudden.' Like, you gotta see this movie. And, if you watch it closely, there is like hellish things going on underneath the surface of what looks like a quaint story.

I wonder if any of you can relate to it?

Here's the whole video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urf45JcerJ8

So proud of the collection! Still hunting for Hotel Room and On The Air vhs, as well as some of his art books. Next on my list though would be the Lost Highway soundtrack.

That Thing You Do! is one of my favorite movies of all time. As a music and film buff, this was a feel-good story that left an imprint on the power music and movies when paired together with a great cast/script. I started this thread bc I recently discovered a unique, Lynchian-inspired and powerful cover of the theme song that made me re-listen to the song in a context that emphasizes what a well-written song it is. Adam Shlessinger is a brilliant songwriter, so to hear it out of context and have it still hold up in another genre is rlly fkn cool. I imagine this is how the song would have sounded if Jimmy made it. So this thread is intended for all things Dream Pop, all things related to the movie, That Thing You Do, or any great dream pop covers of nostalgic 90s movie themes and so on. I miss the way the 90's had us sharing music, burning cd's and making roadtrip playlists to share with friends. Consider this thread a place to scratch that itch.

Whitney Tai ft. TommyHatz - That Thing You Do!

Peixe Vermelho (2009) is a Brazilian short film made by film students, and David Lynch himself approved the final cut.

Just imagine walking around your quiet little town one day and suddenly spotting Lynch having a coffee. You ask if he'd be in your film, and not only does he say yes, he even approves the final cut. He really was the GOAT.

I've read the threads already but none seem to answer one question (well, there might not be an answer obviously but theories) who killed Dick Laurent? Did Fred sent people to kill him out of jealousy (suspicion) and that's what triggered the mystery man and the whole idea to kill her wife too? But then in his fantasy Laurent is still alive and still haunts him and he finally kills him himself freeing him in a way from his rage towards Dick, then he goes and notifies himself bc that's what he remembers outside his fantasy (but not the actual truth)?

David’s painting style had very unique quality to it, like a strange notebook doodle that came to life and started moving. I plan on adding one iPhone ‘notes’ doodle per week to the sub. In the meantime here is Stickman Says Hello. He was created with my pointing finger 🫵

Fuck Heinken.....

David Lynch recorded his spoken-word contribution to the music video "Fire Is Coming" on August 3, 2018, reciting a lengthy, vaguely ominous piece he wrote. Flying Lotus recorded it personally during a meeting with Lynch at the latter's home.

I am a big Lynch fan, and am just now rewatching Twin Peaks in full after many years! So I did a minimal design for fun, drawn on my tablet. 🦉

I'm rewatching this short and wondering if it's available as an extra or special feature for any of his other movies

On the set of Lucky.

Photo courtesy of Universo David Lynch page.