News

Late to the Party: Eraserhead (1977)- A Dream of Dark and Troubling Things

Published

6 years ago

April 4, 2018

It’s time for another edition of Late to the Party, and man did I pick quite the film to review. Eraserhead is David Lynch’s first feature length film; an industrial, void, oppressive world of a wonderland-based dream that cocoons a nightmarish take on parenthood and intimacy.

I’ve always had this sort of “passive” desire to watch Eraserhead just to see how horrifying it is as far as black and white horror movies went. Until I began actively researching the film, I did not know this is the wrong approach and a gross misunderstanding of what Eraserhead and Lynch are about.

Image via IMDB

I did not start looking into Eraserhead until my phase–to be honest, I’m not out of the phase yet– of obsessively digging through suspected plot details and hidden secrets within the Silent Hills playable teaser demo.

My curiosity was directed to Lynch when fans noted that the “sink fetus” reminded them a great deal of Henry’s child in Eraserhead. I learned that Lynch’s jarring surrealism and unique sound design are part of the inspiration for the Silent Hill series, Perfect Blue, a plethora of “slow-burn” horror films, and (especially) Stanley Kubrick.

Image via IGN: The Sink Baby

Lynch set out to make a film true to its tagline, “A dream about dark and troubling things”. In doing so, he explored the concept of sound and imagery as key film components that – alone – can shake you to your core.

While I LOVE horror, I am a very pragmatic and technical critic, and so after viewing this move for the first time I whispered to myself an honest question; “How the fuck do I review THAT?”

While I’m sure there are many who would answer on how to approach this feat and some who would say “I don’t know,” I know some would side with David Lynch himself in saying “You don’t.”

This could be due to him not wanting his artistic vision being unfairly scrutinized, viewers drawing parallels from Eraserhead to Lynch’s own life, or the film being painted as a politically driven piece.

It is worth mentioning that Lynch wanted to be a painter. Often, with painters, people choose to look at what the painting “is not,” but a painter wants to make painting that simply “is.”

via IMDb

I do not want to spoil the film’s imagery or sound design, and even if I detailed them to a major extent, context would not provide much clarity to this mad house of a film.

HOWEVER, after watching Eraserhead (three times) I have a description that follows as such:

Henry Spencer is a timid, docile man who resides in a menacing, oppressive, dark industrial city, located somewhere between Philidelphia and a dreamscape of fantasy and nightmares. One evening, after returning to his apartment, he is informed that his ex-girlfriend, Mary, wants to see him for dinner with her parents. This news is broken to him by his new, alluring, enticing neighbor.

Venturing to an inexplicably quaint yet dilapidated mid-western style home in the middle of this desolate concrete jungle, you’ll find yourself confronted by a scene littered with horrifying rotisserie chickens, high volume dog whining, and overpassing trains. It is in this scene that Henry is told he is the father of Mary’s baby… although it’s not known if it’s actually a baby or not.

Image via IMDB

Enter: The infamous “Eraserhead” baby, something more animal than human that emits the cry of a distraught infant and is bound to a bandage-crib.

It is only after one night of dealing with the child spitting out its food, incessantly crying, and the stress of newfound motherhood–paired with sounds of the hellish industrial city– Mary angrily storms out. She does this while telling Henry “YOU BETTER TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT.”

What follows is possibly the most disturbing series of events that one could experience as a single parent. Henry must maintain his sanity while learning to deal with a relentlessly tormenting child and the temptation of lust and infidelity from those outside of the room that he’s trapped in.

Of course, Henry must also discern if life is worth continuing outside of his (pine cone and dirt encompassed) radiator, where the horrifying woman he has visions of tempts him to the beauty of Heaven “where everything is fine”.

Image via IMDB

It took a few watches for me to sort of “get it”.

While Eraserhead definitely pushes the boundaries of how wild a film can get with telling a (relatively) incoherent story, the main draw is not in the plot: it is through the actions, images, and the conveyance of the film’s tone through the unsettling sound design.

You’re not supposed to be drawn in by being told the film is DARK and TROUBLING, but by trying to keep perspective on the dark and troubling things. The characters in Eraserhead especially play this trick on you, because they look all too much like your typical neighbors while acting nearly alien with their mannerisms and (limited) discourse.

Image via IMDB

Those who do not appear human will try to move in similar manners, but the emulation of said movement–coupled with the strange people and the dark atmosphere–demonstrates a nightmarish surrealism.

Eraserhead presents an uncanny valley that (even if you don’t enjoy the film) will still sit in the most remote, quiet parts of your mind. It will drone on like the hum of a powerline, and you will never quite be able to be erase it.

Image via IMDB

If you have not watched Eraserhead, I cannot recommend it enough. I won’t say it’s a perfect film (far from it), but if you’re into surrealism, nightmare fuel, and David Lynch—hell, even modern horror as we know it—then I’d say this is a mandatory watch.

And if you’re not a fan of the aforementioned things, then check it out just to watch a film unlike anything you have, or will ever watch: a dream of dark and troubling things.

For more Late to the Party, check out our previous edition with Kelly McNeely’s evisceration of iHorror’s favorite punching bag, “Muck“.

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Editorial

Yay or Nay: What’s Good and Bad in Horror This Week: 5/6 to 5/10

Published

11 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Welcome to Yay or Nay a weekly mini post about what I think is good and bad news in the horror community written in bite-sized chunks. This is for the week of May 5 through May 10.

Yay:

In a Violent Nature made someone puke at the Chicago Critics Film Fest screening. It’s the first time this year that a critic got sick at a movie that wasn’t a Blumhouse film.

Nay:

Radio Silence pulls out of remake of Escape From New York. Darn, we wanted to see Snake try to escape a remote locked-down mansion full of distopean New York City “crazies.”

Yay:

A new Twisters trailer dropped, focusing on the powerful forces of nature that tear through rural towns. It’s a great alternative to watching candidates do the same thing on local news during this year’s presidential press cycle.

Nay:

Producer Bryan Fuller walks away from A24’s Friday the 13th series Camp Crystal Lake saying the studio wanted to go a “different way.” After two years of development for a horror series it seems that way doesn’t include ideas from people who actually know what their talking about: fans in a subreddit.

Yay:

Finally, The Tall Man from Phantasm is getting his own Funko Pop! Too bad the toy company is failing. This gives new meaning to Angus Scrimm’s famous line from the movie: “You play a good game…but the game is finished. Now you die!”

Nay:

Football king Travis Kelce joins new Ryan Murphy horror project as a supporting actor. He got more press than the announcement of Dahmer’s Emmy winner Niecy Nash-Betts actually getting the lead.

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Movies

‘Clown Motel 3,’ Films At America’s Scariest Motel!

Published

14 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Ryan T. Cusick

There is just something about clowns that can evoke feelings of eeriness or discomfort. Clowns, with their exaggerated features and painted-on smiles, are already somewhat removed from typical human appearance. When portrayed in a sinister manner in movies, they can trigger feelings of fear or unease because they hover in that unsettling space between familiar and unfamiliar. The association of clowns with childhood innocence and joy can make their portrayal as villains or symbols of terror even more disturbing; just writing this and thinking about clowns is making me feel quite uneasy. Many of us can relate to each other when it comes to the fear of clowns! There is a new clown film on the horizon, Clown Motel: 3 Ways To Hell, which promises to have an army of horror icons and provide tons of bloody gore. Check out the press release below, and stay safe from these clowns!

The Clown Motel named the “Scariest Motel in America,” is located in the quiet town of Tonopah, Nevada, renowned among horror enthusiasts. It boasts an unsettling clown theme that permeates every inch of its exterior, lobby, and guest rooms. Situated across from a desolate cemetery from the early 1900s, the motel’s eerie ambiance is heightened by its proximity to the graves.

Clown Motel spawned its first movie, Clown Motel: Spirits Arise, back in 2019, but now we are on to the third!

Director and Writer Joseph Kelly is back at it again with Clown Motel: 3 Ways To Hell, and they officially launched their ongoing campaign.

Clown Motel 3 aims big and is one of the biggest networks of horror franchise actors since the 2017 Death House.

Clown Motel introduces actors from:

Halloween (1978) – Tony Moran – known for his role as the unmasked Michael Myers.

Friday the 13th (1980) – Ari Lehman – the original young Jason Voorhees from the inaugural “Friday The 13th” film.

A Nightmare on Elm Street Parts 4 & 5 – Lisa Wilcox – portrays Alice.

The Exorcist (1973) – Elieen Dietz – Pazuzu Demon.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) – Brett Wagner – who had the first kill in the film as “Kemper Kill Leather Face.’

Scream Parts 1 & 2 – Lee Waddell – known for playing the original Ghostface.

House of 1000 Corpses (2003) – Robert Mukes – known for playing Rufus alongside Sheri Zombie, Bill Moseley, and the late Sid Haig.

Poltergeist Parts 1 & 2—Oliver Robins, known for his role as the boy terrorized by a clown under the bed in Poltergeist, will now flip the script as the tables turn!

WWD, now known as WWE – Wrestler Al Burke joins the lineup!

With a lineup of horror legends and set at America’s Most terrifying motel, this is a dream come true for fans of horror films everywhere!

What’s a clown movie without actual real-life clowns, though? Joining the film are Relik, VillyVodka, and, of course, Mischief – Kelsey Livengood.

Special Effects will be done by Joe Castro, so you know the gore will be bloody good!

A handful of returning cast members include Mindy Robinson (VHS, Range 15), Mark Hoadley, Ray Guiu, Dave Bailey, DieTrich, Bill Victor Arucan, Denny Nolan, Ron Russell, Johnny Perotti (Hammy), Vicky Contreras. For more information on the film, visit Clown Motel’s official Facebook Page.

Making a comeback into feature films and just announced today, Jenna Jameson will also be joining the side of the clowns. And guess what? A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join her or the handful of horror icons on set for a one-day role! More info can be found on Clown Motel’s Campaign page.

**Actress Jenna Jameson joins the cast.**

After all, who wouldn’t want to be killed by an icon?

Executive Producers Joseph Kelly, Dave Bailey, Mark Hoadley, Joe Castro

Producers Nicole Vegas, Jimmy Star, Shawn C. Phillips, Joel Damian

Clown Motel 3 Ways to Hell is written and directed by Joseph Kelly and promises a blend of horror and nostalgia.

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Movies

First Look: On Set of ‘Welcome to Derry’ & Interview with Andy Muschietti

Published

1 day ago

May 10, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Rising from the sewers, drag performer and horror movie enthusiast The Real Elvirus took her fans behind the scenes of the MAX series Welcome to Derry in an exclusive hot-set tour. The show is scheduled to release sometime in 2025, but a firm date has not been set.

Filming is taking place in Canada in Port Hope, a stand-in for the fictional New England town of Derry located within the Stephen King universe. The sleepy location has been transformed into a township from the 1960s.

Welcome to Derry is the prequel series to director Andrew Muschietti’s two-part adaptation of King’s It. The series is interesting in that it’s not only about It, but all the people who live in Derry — which includes some iconic characters from the King ouvre.

Elvirus, dressed as Pennywise, tours the hot set, careful not to reveal any spoilers, and speaks with Muschietti himself, who reveals exactly how to pronounce his name: Moose-Key-etti.

The comical drag queen was given an all-access pass to the location and uses that privilege to explore props, facades and interview crew members. It’s also revealed that a second season is already greenlit.

Take a look below and let us know what you think. And are you looking forward to the MAX series Welcome to Derry?