Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)

-Written by Kyle Bain.

If you’ve listened to the latest episode of Reel Reactions with Greg & Kyle, you’ve already heard me say: “What the fuck did I just watch?” That sentiment still rings true, as the mindfuck that is Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me still rattles my brain and makes me rethink all that I know. Writer-Director David Lynch does what he does best in this film, create and deliver a film that will enthrall, and just as much, sicken. 

As the prequel to the renowned cult classic Twin Peaks, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me analyzes the life of Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) before her ultimate demise at the hands of her father Leland (Ray Wise). This film dives deep into the murderous precursors to her death, and strengthens the lore of the small Washington town, the Black Lodge, and the many pieces that make up this fictional US hamlet. 

Reader and viewer beware, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me follows an incestuous relationship in which a father regularly sexually assaults his teenaged daughter, and the aftermath of her horrid experiences. 

With that said, for anyone familiar with Lynch and his oeuvre, you won’t be surprised by what is depicted on screen. There are graphic sexual sequences, extensive nudity, and that aforementioned incestuous relationship between Laura and Leland. This doesn’t necessarily serve as a warning as much as it serves the purpose of expressing that Lynch rarely includes gratuitous moments in his productions. He’s a meticulous filmmaker, and Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me is no exception to that rule. Having discussed, at length, with fellow cinephiles Greg Vorob and Xan Sprouse (individuals with a complete understanding of the Twin Peaks universe), I’ve come to understand that the purpose of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me is to expand on the character of Laura. What viewers thought they knew about her comes into question, and her actual upbringing is more fleshed out than what had previously been seen. With that said, every moment in which Laura participates in sexual misconduct or excessive drug use, or any time in which the character appears slightly offputting is included for a reason. Again, Lynch ensures that every moment is necessary to the greater picture, and those often gut-wrenching moments serve a purpose. 

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me possesses a series of blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments. The film forces viewers to pay attention, as there is no opportunity to look away or take a breath. A shift in scenery, the [re]introduction of a new character, and a complete alteration in the narrative aren’t uncommon in this film—and having gone into this film completely blind, it was imperative that I absorb every ounce of information present. While I was new to the franchise, I would venture to guess that even the initiated would suffer from even the quickest glance away from the screen. Take nothing that Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me says or does for granted, and accept that Lynch put in the time to ensure that his film was as close to perfect as possible. 

There is an aspect of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me that I hadn’t considered until now, and that’s the title. What does the subtitle, “Fire Walk with Me,” mean? It’s a cryptic line that plays little to no role in the grand scheme of the film (other than Laura’s seemingly out-of-place utterance of the phrase). Again, however, Lynch doesn’t often make mistakes, and that means this must mean something for the film. The only sense I can make of this, however, is a dark admission by Laura that Hell and its likeness are welcome to follow her everywhere. Given the conclusion of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, where Laura seemingly comes to terms with her end, I can’t help but to imagine that this is the case. 

While I would typically dive deep into analyzing and critiquing a filmmaker’s choices when it comes to their film, I quickly found myself simply describing those decisions. If it wasn’t clear, however, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me did resonate with me. The film moved me, not only as a result of the narrative, but often as a result of the cinematic decisions made by Lynch. For the first time in a long time (possibly since my introduction to the Star Trek universe), I find myself intrigued enough by a film that I feel it’s necessary to experience the show attached to it. 

Directed by David Lynch. 

Written by David Lynch, Robert Engels, & Mark Frost. 

Starring Sheryl Lee, Ray Wise, Mädchen Amick, Dana Ashbrook, Phoebe Augustine, etc. 

7.5/10 = WATCH IT FOR FREE 

Make sure to check out the full Reel Reactions w/ Greg & Kyle review featuring Xan Sprouse, Greg Vorob, and yours truly by heading over to Spotify.