David Lynch has been winning acclaim for his surreal, darkly imaginative movies for decades now. Audiences are wowed, mystified, and terrified by his work, from the black-and-white horror of Eraserhead to the glitz and glamour of Mulholland Drive. Today, he holds the reputation of being one of the greatest working directors, and fans are eagerly awaiting any news of his rumored future projects.
Sometimes, it can seem like the popularity of Lynch's movies overshadows the performances of the actors who star in them. But actors working with Lynch have been giving career-best performances since his directorial debut in 1977, stunning audiences with their dramatic abilities and helping to bolster Lynch's reputation. In reality, the actors starring in his films are central to his success as a director. Lynch has a special talent for raising unknown actors into stardom with a breakout role, or calling retired actors back to Hollywood for one more picture. With this special talent in mind, let's look at seven of the best performances in David Lynch's movies, ranked.
7 Robert Blake - Lost Highway (1997)
It isn't always the case that a minor character outshines the rest of the cast, but that's exactly what Robert Blake does in Lost Highway. Blake plays the Mystery Man, a pale, magical figure who speaks cryptically and seems to appear and disappear at random. Blake's performance as the Mystery Man, in which he haunts the film's protagonist Fred, has been highly lauded by fans and critics alike. The Outline even calls the sequence introducing the Mystery Man David Lynch's scariest scene yet. Now, Blake's performance of the character has helped to solidify Lost Highway's reputation as a cult classic.
6 Nicolas Cage - Wild at Heart (1990)
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If you can't get enough of Nicolas Cage losing his onscreen marbles, David Lynch's Wild at Heart is the movie for you. Here, he gives a rip-roaring performance as the Elvis Presley-obsessed "Sailor" Ripley, an outlaw who can't seem to stay out of prison. Cage imbues the character with his classic over-the-top energy, blending violent outbursts and suave one-liners in a way that only he can. Pay special attention to the scene where he belts out a full cover of Elvis's ballad, "Love Me," to a crowd of screaming fans. David Lynch brings out the best in Cage by letting him tap into his wild side with no reservations.
5 Jack Nance - Eraserhead (1977)
In David Lynch's directorial debut, Eraserhead, actor Jack Nance is perfectly cast as the anxiety-riddled Henry Spencer. The trippy, dream-like world of Eraserhead becomes even more unsettling and confusing thanks to Nance's performance. He wears a confused look for the entirety of the film, shuffling awkwardly to and from his dingy apartment, where he attempts to raise a half-alien baby (yes, this happens). Because the role of Henry Spencer has few speaking lines, Nance acts primarily with his face, his eyes, and his gestures. As you watch, you can't help but empathize with this anxious parent-in-training. Even when Eraserhead gets truly weird, Jack Nance keeps us grounded with his reserved, sincere performance.
4 Dennis Hopper - Blue Velvet (1986)
In David Lynch's 1986 classic Blue Velvet, Dennis Hopper plays his most famous role as the villain Frank Booth. The character has become a favorite among David Lynch fans thanks to Hopper's electrifying onscreen presence. Throughout the film, Booth's actions become increasingly threatening, and Hopper makes the character's dangerous energy seem real. AV Club goes so far as to say that his acting was too scary for the 1986 Oscars, and watching the film now, it's easy to see why. With his wide eyes, wild grin, and infamous oxygen canister, Hopper's performance in Blue Velvet is one for the ages.
3 John Hurt - The Elephant Man (1980)
With The Elephant Man, David Lynch appealed to a wide audience by telling the heart-wrenching story of John Merrick, a kind man who suffers from extreme deformities. Anchoring this tragic film is actor John Hurt, who plays the role of Merrick with compassion and grace. Hurt, the late Alien and Harry Potter star, was nominated for an Oscar for his stellar performance of the character. In order to play the titular "Elephant Man" onscreen, Hurt had to sit for seven to eight hours while his makeup was applied, and another two hours while it was removed, per Dangerous Minds. Nevertheless, Hurt's acting ability shines through the many layers of makeup he had to wear for every scene.
2 Naomi Watts - Mulholland Drive (2001)
David Lynch's Mulholland Drive was not only Naomi Watts's breakout role, but also one of the greatest of her career. Within the film, she plays two versions of the same character. One (Betty) is a would-be movie star filled with hope for the future, while the other (Diane) has lost everything. Watts's ability to juggle two roles in a single film is nothing short of astonishing. Viewers can only watch in awe as she navigates David Lynch's twisted version of Los Angeles. Though she did not receive an Oscar nomination for her performance, the enduring popularity of Mulholland Drive has ensured that Watts gets the credit she deserves for the part. In 2016, for example, Mulholland Drive topped the BBC's 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century List.
1 Sheryl Lee - Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)
Though Sheryl Lee became a star for playing the role of Laura Palmer in David Lynch's hit television series Twin Peaks, it was not until the 1992 prequel film, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, that her acting chops were put to the test. The Twin Peaks series did not give Lee many opportunities to prove herself as a performer, but in Fire Walk with Me she has the central role and more screen time than any other actor. Lee takes advantage of this and gives the best performance of her career. She plays the tragic figure of Laura Palmer, a girl living out multiple lives in the two weeks leading up to her death. In this role, Lee laughs, screams, cries, and loves with incredible passion and realism — and the effect is unforgettable. Viewers can forget that they're watching an actor playing a part and lose themselves in Lee's mastery of acting. It's nothing short of the best performance in David Lynch's filmography.