Eraserhead: What NOT to Expect When You're Expecting

"I'll do what I want to do! And you better take real good care of things while I'm gone!"

What to Expect When You're Watching a Film by David Lynch...

Though some are not fond of his work, it cannot be denied that David Lynch has a distinct style. First cutting his teeth with experimental short films such as The Alphabet and The Grandmother in which he used surrealist imagery to explore psychological themes, Lynch amplifies the madness with his bizarre and unsettling film, Eraserhead. Being his first feature, the ambitious director delivers a loosely structured film with rich and disturbing symbolism.

The Plot (if you can call it that)...

The film centers around Henry Spencer, a man who finds himself caregiver to an infant creature, his alleged offspring. Though the principle location is the tiny apartment, the incessant cries of the child launch Henry, and the audience, into a series of terrifying visions; a string of disconcerting scenes that forever validate experimental film as meaningful, long- form cinema.

The Absurdity of Procreation

Using the practical elements of prosthetics, make-up, and costume design, Lynch conveys a tangible sense of unease with the grotesque offspring. From the bloated cheek woman who sings on a hidden stage in the radiator, to the deformed, barnacle covered father who lurches by a distant window, these images all point to the obscurity of procreation. And our protagonist is in awe of this obscurity. He is aghast at what he has created. He fears what he has created will be his undoing. Seemingly deafened by the industrious droning of the surrounding metropolis, Henry is overcome with the nightmarish vision of his uncreation.

The Oedipus Complex

Lynch reiterates this theme of the Oedipus complex, using the motif of “heads”. For example, in one scene, Henry unwraps the swaddled child and stabs his exposed innards. But this only leads to the baby’s head enlarging and overtaking Henry. Similarly, in another scene the baby pops off Henry’s head, and the infant assumes Henry’s body as his own. In this way, David Lynch effectively uses the experimental nature of the film to reinforce this primal symbol of patriarchy.

Uncreation

Lynch’s creation speaks of uncreation, our impending demise accelerated by the birth of the next generation. The tense relationship between Father and child that is underscored with violence. He uses the obscure characters and creatures to personify these themes and puts the audience at unease while doing it. Eraserhead may not be for everyone, but it certainly is not easy to forget (try as we may).