Lynchian Elements:

• Uncanniness – The feeling of confused uncertainty. strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way.

E.g.

Through the use of uncanniness, the shot positioning of the normal alley way is given an unsettling atmosphere due to mystery as to what is behind it, which is broken with the reveal of the bum. This is purposefully used by Lynch to confuse and keep the spectator unknowing of what is to come.

• Use of Doppelgangers – From the German Myth, 2 of you exist which at some stage you’ll meet. Another version of you.

E.g.

With the reveal of the real Betty at the end, the use of Doppelgangers is used to show Diane’s transformation of her identity into this new persona. This is a common trope within Lynch’s films and makes it reveal a shock value to the viewer.

• Ominous sound design – Unsettling music or noises to create fear or anxiety.

E.g.

The use of ominous sound design is used with the creepy distorted laughter of the old couple. Through this, lynch creates anxiety from the spectators as to what it may connote and what it used for.

• Heightened performances – Melodramatic acting used with significance to create an enigmatic meaning.

E.g.

With the dramatic singing in Club Silencio, this is a good example of a heightened performance as its prominent usage is done only once in the film. With alterations made to the original song such as the lyrics being in Spanish, their translated meaning relates and influences the plot heavily.

• Theme of tarnished idealism – Portrays the character in a poorer state or fall from grace.

E.g.

With the switch up of character personalities, Betty’s conversion into Diane shows her development from the dream-like world she has created into a more unforgiving reality. This is used by Lynch to possibly target Hollywood as showing a false-front has been common in the industry to cover-up .