30 Years Later: Fire Walk With Me

Director: David Lynch
Starring: Sheryl Lee, Moira Kelly, David Bowie
Running time: 134 minutes

In 1990, American television was changed forever when the pilot episode of Twin Peaks hit television screens. Its unusual blend of being simultaneously a comedic, loose Americana sitcom and a haunting, surrealistic crime drama made it an instant hit. Viewers were entranced by the strange and mysterious world of Twin Peaks, one that felt so rich with characters and iconic locations; a place where everyone had a dark secret or were planning some kind of twisted plot. Mark Frost and David Lynch co-created Twin Peaks at the end of the Eighties and after two seasons, a heavy dose of studio interference and a time slot change – it came to a sudden ending, leaving dozens of questions unanswered. 

Lynch felt incredibly sour about the ordeal and that his initial vision of Twin Peaks had been corrupted. To rectify this somewhat, and to explore the universe he so dearly loved, he decided to create a film set in the same universe. Fire Walk With Me serves as a prequel to the television show and looks at both the last days of Laura Palmer, whose murder is the basis for the entire series, and an investigation into the murder of Teresa Banks which is set approximately one year earlier. While some new additions join the cast, the main focus is on the original ensemble – which is one of the best in film history. 

The words “Directed by David Lynch” show up on screen, projected over a TV which is only displaying static. Suddenly an axe smashes the TV with supreme force and the film begins – a very unsubtle hint about his feelings towards the show and what to expect from the film. People expected Lynch to wrap up plot threads and flesh out the mysteries surrounding Twin Peaks and its final episode, which aired roughly a year before the film was released. However, answering questions and wrapping things up are things that Lynch is simply not interested in, and he instead ended up asking more new questions than he did answering any.

What separates Fire Walk With Me from the original series is the tone of the film. Due to the original series having its roots in French serials and American sitcoms, it generally has a light and humorous air to it. Whether it’s the slapstick humour often found with Andy Brennan or the strange idiosyncratic behaviour of Dale Cooper, there was always joy to be found in the characters, especially due to how fleshed out they felt. However, with the film there is little joy to be found, and it is a much more sombre and utterly harrowing experience – essentially becoming a psychological horror film. In some ways, it feels detached from the original show; there are very few moments of respite and catharsis to be found.

With Twin Peaks, Lynch looks at small town America and the affects of a deep rooted evil that slowly changes the people who live in it. However, in the film, it mostly focuses on one single character – Laura Palmer – who we know is going to end up dead. By showing us these last days of her life, Lynch gives a raw, unflinching and brutally honest depiction of abuse and trauma. Although despite the dark themes of the film it never feels exploitative, it instead captures Laura’s suffering with great care – you can tell Lynch feels deeply connected to the characters and world of Twin Peaks. Sheryl Lee showcases one of the greatest performances to ever hit screens. Her ability to communicate such a deep range of emotions is incredible to watch and her performance is genuinely heartbreaking.

Once again, Angelo Badalamenti returns to score the film, and just like the original series it is truly phenomenal, perhaps even better than his previous work. Badalamenti provides a series of haunting jazz songs that perfectly capture the melancholic and dark atmosphere of the film. Music and sound are always a crucial part of a David Lynch film; here the emotional punch of the narrative is deepened with the powerful music that is played beautifully throughout the film. Visual imagery is also a key component to his films and there are plenty of eerie, hallucinogenic sequences that both bewilder and amaze. Both of these elements merge perfectly in a fantastic scene in which Laura visits a sleazy nightclub on the outskirts of town. The combination of the throbbing music, trippy visuals and tragic narrative all provide a wonderful sensuous experience. 

On its initial release, Fire Walk With Me was deemed a failure. People couldn’t understand Lynch’s vision and were frustrated that film only made Twin Peaks more confusing. Its dramatic change of tone offers a much more compact and terrifying experience, leading people to denounce the film. Eventually, it has been reappraised over time and been appreciated for the masterwork that it really is. It is a film that continues to get better with age and with each new watch continues to offer a deeply profound experience. Jacques Rivette said it best: “[Fire Walk With Me] is the craziest film in the history of cinema. I have no idea what happened, I have no idea what I saw, all I know is that I left the theatre floating six feet above the ground.” 

Did you know? In 2014, Lynch released Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces, a feature-length compilation of unused footage from the film. It includes scenes featuring characters who were cut from Fire Walk With Me entirely, such as James Hurley’s parents and Josie Packard.