Eraserhead:

a Journey Through One's Subconscious Fears

     I experienced the ride that is David Lynch's, Eraserhead, a couple years ago when I was way too young and way too impressionable. My brother made a bet to me that I wouldn't be able to finish it all the way through and I had to prove him wrong. Lynch was very young when he created this film-- it was actually a college project. Even in his beginning creations, the style is obvious and impossible to ignore. The fact of the matter is that David Lynch KNOWS how to make an audience uncomfortable and even quite scared. The film starts with over ten minutes of silence, forcing the viewer to keep their eyes on the screen. The imagery is static-ey black and white. The feeling behind the image is discomfort and anticipation. As the story progresses, you slightly understand more of what is happening in this young man's, Henry's, life. 

     Many people believe that this film abstractly depicts the fears of becoming a parent. I say abstract, but in all honesty, the events and images taking place in this film are quite morbid and grotesque. Henry and his wife give birth to this "creature" that consumes Henry's life and pushes his wife away. It keeps Henry up at night and drives him to his absolute breaking point, where at the climax of the film, he stabs and kills the baby. As a viewer, you're horrified, but as someone analyzing this film, you're still horrified but you're just slightly impressed. The boundaries and walls that Lynch breaks down with this experimental film is incredible. I think the meaning is lost on 75% of it's audience because of the blatant BABY KILLING. Even though the baby looks like an alien, we are shown that it's the offspring of Henry and his wife, so Henry killing this alien is Henry murdering his child. Overall, this film is eye opening and gut wrenching, but definitely a must-see for those exploring the world of experimental film and/or horror.