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Late to the Party: Eraserhead (1977)- A Dream of Dark and Troubling Things

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Eraserhead

It’s time for another edition of Late to the Party, and man did I pick quite the film to review. Eraserhead is David Lynch’s first feature length film; an industrial, void, oppressive world of a wonderland-based dream that cocoons a nightmarish take on parenthood and intimacy.

I’ve always had this sort of “passive” desire to watch Eraserhead just to see how horrifying it is as far as black and white horror movies went. Until I began actively researching the film, I did not know this is the wrong approach and a gross misunderstanding of what Eraserhead and Lynch are about.

Jack Nance

Image via IMDB

I did not start looking into Eraserhead until my phase–to be honest, I’m not out of the phase yet– of obsessively digging through suspected plot details and hidden secrets within the Silent Hills playable teaser demo.

My curiosity was directed to Lynch when fans noted that the “sink fetus” reminded them a great deal of Henry’s child in Eraserhead. I learned that Lynch’s jarring surrealism and unique sound design are part of the inspiration for the Silent Hill series, Perfect Blue, a plethora of “slow-burn” horror films, and (especially) Stanley Kubrick.

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Image via IGN: The Sink Baby

Lynch set out to make a film true to its tagline, “A dream about dark and troubling things”. In doing so, he explored the concept of sound and imagery as key film components that – alone – can shake you to your core.

 

While I LOVE horror, I am a very pragmatic and technical critic, and so after viewing this move for the first time I whispered to myself an honest question; “How the fuck do I review THAT?”

While I’m sure there are many who would answer on how to approach this feat and some who would say “I don’t know,” I know some would side with David Lynch himself in saying “You don’t.”

This could be due to him not wanting his artistic vision being unfairly scrutinized, viewers drawing parallels from Eraserhead to Lynch’s own life, or the film being painted as a politically driven piece.

It is worth mentioning that Lynch wanted to be a painter. Often, with painters, people choose to look at what the painting “is not,” but a painter wants to make painting that simply “is.”

Man in the Planet Eraserhead

via IMDb

I do not want to spoil the film’s imagery or sound design, and even if I detailed them to a major extent, context would not provide much clarity to this mad house of a film.

HOWEVER, after watching Eraserhead (three times) I have a description that follows as such:

Henry Spencer is a timid, docile man who resides in a menacing, oppressive, dark industrial city, located somewhere between Philidelphia and a dreamscape of fantasy and nightmares. One evening, after returning to his apartment, he is informed that his ex-girlfriend, Mary, wants to see him for dinner with her parents. This news is broken to him by his new, alluring, enticing neighbor.

Venturing to an inexplicably quaint yet dilapidated mid-western style home in the middle of this desolate concrete jungle, you’ll find yourself confronted by a scene littered with horrifying rotisserie chickens, high volume dog whining, and overpassing trains. It is in this scene that Henry is told he is the father of Mary’s baby… although it’s not known if it’s actually a baby or not.

Eraserhead baby

Image via IMDB

Enter: The infamous “Eraserhead” baby, something more animal than human that emits the cry of a distraught infant and is bound to a bandage-crib.

It is only after one night of dealing with the child spitting out its food, incessantly crying, and the stress of newfound motherhood–paired with sounds of the hellish industrial city– Mary angrily storms out. She does this while telling Henry “YOU BETTER TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT.”

What follows is possibly the most disturbing series of events that one could experience as a single parent. Henry must maintain his sanity while learning to deal with a relentlessly tormenting child and the temptation of lust and infidelity from those outside of the room that he’s trapped in.

Of course, Henry must also discern if life is worth continuing outside of his (pine cone and dirt encompassed) radiator, where the horrifying woman he has visions of tempts him to the beauty of Heaven “where everything is fine”.

Radiator Lady

Image via IMDB

It took a few watches for me to sort of “get it”.

While Eraserhead definitely pushes the boundaries of how wild a film can get with telling a (relatively) incoherent story, the main draw is not in the plot: it is through the actions, images, and the conveyance of the film’s tone through the unsettling sound design.

You’re not supposed to be drawn in by being told the film is DARK and TROUBLING, but by trying to keep perspective on the dark and troubling things. The characters in Eraserhead especially play this trick on you, because they look all too much like your typical neighbors while acting nearly alien with their mannerisms and (limited) discourse.

Eraserhead dinner

Image via IMDB

Those who do not appear human will try to move in similar manners, but the emulation of said movement–coupled with the strange people and the dark atmosphere–demonstrates a nightmarish surrealism.

Eraserhead presents an uncanny valley that (even if you don’t enjoy the film) will still sit in the most remote, quiet parts of your mind. It will drone on like the hum of a powerline, and you will never quite be able to be erase it.

Eraserhead

Image via IMDB

If you have not watched Eraserhead, I cannot recommend it enough. I won’t say it’s a perfect film (far from it), but if you’re into surrealism, nightmare fuel, and David Lynch—hell, even modern horror as we know it—then I’d say this is a mandatory watch.

And if you’re not a fan of the aforementioned things, then check it out just to watch a film unlike anything you have, or will ever watch: a dream of dark and troubling things.

For more Late to the Party, check out our previous edition with Kelly McNeely’s evisceration of iHorror’s favorite punching bag, “Muck“.

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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