Lynchian refers to the mood and aesthetic found in most David Lynch films. Usually, it is used to label something which has a dark, ominous tone with a surrealist feeling. Lynchian can also describe the dark underbelly of something which seems innocent on its surface (as Lynch repeatedly investigates). But Lynchian isn’t just about themes, it can also apply to eerie visuals and unsettling sounds.

Uncanniness – the fact of being strange and mysterious often in a way that’s slightly frightening

Use of doppelgangers – someone who looks spookily like you but isn’t a twin, usually seen as a harbinger of bad luck

Ominous sound design – vital in setting an ominous tone so the audience know something bad is going to happen

Heightened performances – acting is very over the top or theatrical to intensify a scene

Themes of tarnished idealism – a theme where characters or narratives start with high hopes or noble ideals, but those ideals are ultimately challenged or corrupted by harsh realities