David Lynch’s genius saluted in Triskel movie season

The world of cinema feels incomplete without the enigmatic presence of the late David Lynch.

From his groundbreaking debut in 1977, he captivated audiences as a true visionary, drawing viewers into hypnotic realms where reality and fantasy blur and dissolve.

His films, marked by surreal storytelling and vivid imagery, challenge conventional narrative forms and invite audiences to embrace the unknown.

Lynch’s influence stretches across genres and generations, inspiring countless film-makers and artists who seek to push the boundaries of cinematic expression.

His singular style left an indelible mark and inspired new generations of filmmakers to reinvent cinematic language. His influence extends to television as well, with Twin Peaks standing as a testament to his boundary-pushing vision.

Starting this Friday, January 9, Triskel Cinema will commemorate the one-year anniversary of Lynch’s passing with a special film season, From The Mind Of David Lynch. This retrospective offers fans a chance to celebrate his legacy, as Chris O’Neill, Head of Cinema at Triskel, explains.

“David Lynch was one of the most beloved and influential filmmakers of the last 50 years. His death last January really impacted a lot of people; there was such an outpouring of grief and tributes online and in the media.

“January 20, 2026, would have been Lynch’s 80th birthday, and to mark the occasion and to celebrate his legacy, we are hosting a season of his films at Triskel Arts Centre.”

The first film in the programme is 1984’s Dune, which O’Neill describes as “a lavish sci-fi spectacle from legendary producer Dino De Laurentiis”.

While younger viewers might associate Dune with Denis Villeneuve and Timothée Chalamet, Lynch’s original film has become a cult classic. Adapted from Frank Herbert’s iconic novel, the movie stars Kyle MacLachlan as Paul Atreides, a young nobleman swept into a brutal struggle for the desert planet Arrakis. The cast features Francesca Annis, Patrick Stewart, and Sting, whose performance as the villainous Feyd-Rautha is especially memorable.

Dune is visually striking, boasting distinctive production design, elaborate costumes, and a dreamlike atmosphere emblematic of Lynch’s style.

Though critics were divided at the time and box office returns were disappointing, the film’s reputation has steadily grown. Its bold visuals, inventive practical effects, and grand ambitions have inspired a new generation of science fiction filmmakers.

The second film in the line-up is the controversial Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, which O’Neill considers a vital part of Lynch’s legacy, despite its initially poor reception.

A big-screen follow-up to the classic television series, critics and fans were divided and bewildered back in 1992 when it was originally released, says O’Neill, “but it has since been recognised as one of Lynch’s most important works”.

Led by Sheryl Lee’s powerful performance as Laura Palmer, the film traces the harrowing final days of a teenager trapped between the appearance of high school innocence and a nightmarish double life. MacLachlan appears briefly as FBI agent Dale Cooper, along with Lynch regulars and an unforgettable cameo from David Bowie.

At Cannes, the film was harshly criticised for abandoning the show’s quirky humour in favour of unflinching emotional horror. Yet over the decades, its reputation has soared. Today, Fire Walk With Me is celebrated for its empathy, boldness, and enduring influence. It is regarded as essential to understanding both the Twin Peaks universe and Lynch’s artistic legacy.

The third film in the season is Mulholland Drive, which O’Neill calls Lynch’s masterpiece.

A hypnotic Hollywood fever dream, it solidified Lynch’s reputation as a master of cinematic mystery. Originally conceived as a TV pilot, the project transformed into a feature film and launched Naomi Watts to stardom.

She plays Betty Elms, an aspiring actress whose Los Angeles dreams are quickly entangled with menacing, shadowy forces. Laura Harring co-stars as Rita, an amnesiac who survives a car crash, while Justin Theroux takes on the role of beleaguered director.

What starts as a sun-drenched neo-noir slowly unravels into a haunting meditation on fantasy, fractured identity, and heartbreak.

Mulholland Drive is routinely ranked among the greatest films of the 21st century and celebrated for its daring, unconventional storytelling. Though challenging, its emotional power lingers long after the credits roll, leaving a profound impression on viewers.

It will be preceded by A Woman Of The Darkest Deeds, a short film by O’Neill, shot on 35mm and 16mm film.

The final selection is also Lynch’s last theatrical film: Inland Empire, one of his most complex, revealing works. Shot mainly on gritty digital video, this three-hour odyssey stars Laura Dern in a tour de force performance as Nikki Grace, an actress whose grasp on reality unravels as her latest role consumes her. Theroux plays her co-star.

Jeremy Irons appears as a mysterious director, and long-time Lynch collaborators drift through the labyrinthine narrative.

The story is deliberately elusive, featuring fractured characters, looping timelines, and Los Angeles reimagined as a haunted maze of movie sets and surreal encounters.

Inland Empire initially polarised critics and audiences, many finding it impenetrable. Over time, it has earned praise as a daring digital experiment and a pivotal late-career work, exemplifying Lynch’s relentless drive to push cinema’s emotional and psychological boundaries.

From The Mind Of David Lynch runs throughout January from January 9, triskelartscentre.ie