You know, the things that unsettle me the most are the surreal and dream-like films that put me in a world that actually makes me forget this reality exists. I’m giving away my secret recommendation of three of the most surreal and nightmarish films for you to view this season—if you dare. They’re bleak, their apocalyptic, they’re musically and artistically brilliant. One is fairly well heard of, one is very obscure, and the last one is mainstream; a little something for all.
Eraserhead: This 1977 David Lynch film is so disturbing, I literally cannot watch it without several strange dreams. I’ve never seen anything even remotely like it. It’s visually stunning and bleak at the same time with a use of lighting that is pure artistry. The use of industrial sound throughout the movie and very little dialogue is moody and unsettling. The imagery and storyline are a nightmare come to life. There are cult followers of this film who have many interpretations of its meaning. I simply enjoyed what appeared to be a film hooked up to a man who is afraid of intimacy with women while he’s in the REM state.
Brothers Quay: Stephen and Timothy Quay are, I believe, two of the most brilliant animators of all time. Forget “Shrek” or any of that other pulp in the theater. This is what it should be about—a true world you can dive into and forget reality. If you’re scared of dolls, these films will absolutely unsettle you. The first time I watched them, I was in the dark alone. I actually had to turn on the light. I’m not a person who ever gets scared but I got so lost in the film that I felt like this world existed. That’s true artistry. This will fascinate you for hours!
Silent Hill: This 2006 film was based on a video game. It’s a popular trend but one I’m watching because, even though I’m a skeptic, it seems they’re spitting out good films based on games (like one of my favorite directors, James Wan doing “Castlevania” – the same guy who did “Dead Silence” and “Saw.”) This movie is about a woman and her child. They go out seeking the adopted girl’s history only to lose the daughter in an alternate dimension in an abandoned mining town. It’s grim, beautiful, horrifying with its creatures, and very nightmarish. This is so beautiful to watch, you shouldn’t multitask during it, and it's very frightening.
