London is set to enter a dreamlike cinematic universe this January as the BFI presents David Lynch: The Dreamer, a month-long tribute celebrating the filmmaker’s singular imagination. Marking one year since his passing, the season brings David Lynch movies back to the big screen at BFI Southbank, alongside talks, installations, and immersive events inspired by his work.
Running until January 31, 2026, at BFI Southbank, London SE1, the programme offers audiences a rare chance to revisit Lynch’s worlds collectively, in the dark, as they were meant to be experienced.
A David Lynch retrospective: a journey through dreams and darkness
This David Lynch retrospective spans all ten of the director’s feature films, from Eraserhead to Inland Empire, complemented by short films and documentary portraits that illuminate his creative process. Rather than presenting Lynch as merely a master of the surreal, the season explores the emotional pull of his cinema, where unsettling imagery meets profound human resonance.
Curated as an invitation to enter and re-enter Lynch’s visions, the retrospective frames his work as an exploration of the subconscious, examining the tension between surface beauty and hidden darkness that defines so many of his films.
Beyond screenings of landmark titles such as Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive, and The Elephant Man, the David Lynch retrospective expands into a broader cultural experience. Visitors can step into a recreation of the iconic Red Room from Twin Peaks, attend Lynch-inspired creative sessions, and take part in themed talks, quizzes, and audiovisual nights that fuse music with digital art.
Together, these elements transform the season into more than a film programme. It becomes a living tribute to an artist who reshaped cinema and popular culture, inviting audiences to celebrate the legacy of a dreamer whose worlds continue to linger long after the screen fades to black.
Our interview with David Lynch, in which everyday observations are drifted from to profound creative philosophy, should not be missed.
