Few writer-directors are able to capture the ineffable, but David Lynch comes pretty close with a challenging and mind-expanding oeuvre.
Perhaps it’s even one of film’s greatest clichés to be called “Lynchian,” a word used to convey a certain grim and macabre atmospheric tone that can’t fully be captured in words.
Lynch died after a battle with emphysema, his family announced on Thursday. He was less than a week away from his 79th birthday.
Several of Lynch’s most celebrated films — including “Blue Velvet,” “The Elephant Man” and “The Straight Story” — aren’t currently available on streaming services. And while some are available to rent on digital platforms, seeking out physical media copies might be the best option for cinephiles.
For those who only want to stream, many titles can be found on the Criterion Channel, which boasts an extensive library of classic and international cinema. Here’s a look at what’s available on subscription services:
“Eraserhead” (1977)
While many critics dismissed it during its initial release as a tasteless exercise in body horror, Lynch’s feature film debut was reconsidered as a cult classic that showcased magical and quirky touches that would become familiar trademarks. Told with a gritty surrealism, the story unfolds in a post-apocalyptic setting where one man faces his inner fears of parenthood after his girlfriend runs away, leaving him alone with their prematurely born mutant child.
Where to watch: Criterion Channel
“Dune” (1984)
Long before Quebec’s Denis Villeneuve put his sand-swept spin on Frank Herbert’s epic 1965 novel, Lynch took a swing at the sci-fi opus with a very dreamy version that co-stars frequent collaborator Kyle MacLachlan and rock star Sting, who was cast during the glory days of his band the Police. The film races through Herbert’s book in a little over two hours, a relatively speedy pace by today’s standards although studio executives wanted it shorter. It’s a fascinating time capsule of how filmmakers were reimagining other worlds after the incredible success of “Star Wars.”
Where to watch: Crave
“Twin Peaks” (1990)
Lynch’s knack for oddball characters and surreal settings hit its stride with ABC’s prime-time television drama, which burned bright in its 1990 debut but was snuffed out by executives a little more than a year later. Set in a fictional town in the Pacific Northwest, the series revolves around an FBI agent, played by MacLachlan, who investigates the murder of a local teenager and the people who knew her best.
Where to watch: Paramount Plus. The 1992 prequel feature film “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me” is on Criterion Channel.
“Lost Highway” (1997)
This mind-bending neo-noir thriller stars Bill Pullman as a man who begins receiving grainy VHS tapes in the mail of him and his wife in the privacy of their own home. From there, the storyline takes some baffling turns that left many critics perturbed. It’s also notable for featuring an original score by Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor, who has since gone on to acclaim for composing film music, including Golden Globes for his work on scores for “The Social Network” and “Challengers.”
Where to watch: Criterion Channel
“Mulholland Drive” (2001)
Lynch’s noir mystery set in the Hollywood Hills takes great pleasure in toying with its audience’s sense of reality. Naomi Watts plays an aspiring actress from Deep River, Ont., who arrives in Los Angeles and meets an amnesiac woman who’s recovering from a car accident. As their relationship develops, both of their worlds fragment into a narrative that equally fascinated and repelled audiences upon its release.
Where to watch: Crave, Criterion Channel
“What Did Jack Do?” (2017)
Stylistically a return to the black-and-white grit of “Eraserhead,” and thematically in tune with his most puzzling films, this 17-minute short has Lynch playing a detective who squares off with a capuchin monkey in a dark interrogation room. Oh, and the monkey talks with human lips that are transposed over the animal’s face — the most Lynchian of touches.
Where to watch: Netflix
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 16, 2025.
