David Lynch’s Twisty Mystery Movie From 2001 Becomes Streaming Hit Following His Death

David Lynch‘s twisty mystery movie from 2001 has become a streaming hit following his death. The late, legendary filmmaker is known for his dark, surreal, and dreamlike style – which he established with his feature debut, Eraserhead, in 1977. However, his next film was the more conventionally critically acclaimed and commercially successful Elephant Man in 1980, which brought the filmmaker into the mainstream by earning eight Academy Award nominations, including Lynch’s first nod for Best Director.

The director’s next endeavor, 1984’s Dune, wasn’t nearly as successful, becoming a critical and commercial failure. However, he quickly bounced back with two films that solidified his signature style – 1986’s Blue Velvet, a neo-noir mystery thriller that earned him his second Oscar nod for Best Director, and Wild at Heart, a violent and erotic road trip movie that won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Lynch’s later films – 1997’s Lost Highway, 2001’s Mulholland Drive, and 2006’s Inland Empire – all embraced a heightened dreamlike style.

Mulholland Drive Becomes A Streaming Hit

It Ranks On Reelgood’s Charts

Mulholland Drive has become a streaming hit following David Lynch’s death. Written and directed by Lynch, his 2001 film combines elements of surrealism, mystery, and arthouse, following an aspiring actress (played by Naomi Watts) who moves to Los Angeles and befriends a woman (Laura Harring) who has lost her memory after a car accident. The film also weaves in various other narratives and characters, including a Hollywood director (Justin Theroux) who faces mob interference while casting for his new film.

Now, following Lynch’s death earlier this month, his 2001 film has become a streaming hit on The Criterion Channel no less. Mulholland Drive ranks eighth on Reelgood‘s Top 10 streaming movies and shows and fourth on their Top 10 movies on all streaming platforms for the week of January 16–22. Lynch’s TV show Twin Peaks also ranked 10th on the overall chart and Blue Velvet ranked ninth on the Top 10 movies. Check out the full charts below:

What Mulholland Drive’s Streaming Success Means For The Movie

It Has Stood The Test Of Time

Mulholland Drive is widely considered one of Lynch’s best movies and has also entered the conversation of the greatest films of all time. Its enigmatic and dreamlike style, which earned Lynch his third Oscar nod for Best Director, weaves together an unconventional narrative filled with mystery and features a captivating performance from Watts as a woman navigating the dark underbelly of Hollywood. Mulholland Drive‘s surreal and ambiguous storytelling has sparked endless debate, as David Lynch chose not to clarify its meaning, leaving audiences to speculate and discuss his work, even long after the director’s death.

Source: Reelgood