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As stated by Variety, David Lynch, the visionary filmmaker behind Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks, Mulholland Drive, and others, has passed away at the age of 78. Lynch is survived by his four offspring, leaving behind an oeuvre that significantly influenced not only film and television but also video gaming.
Lynch disclosed at the close of 2024 that he had been battling emphysema resulting from many years of being an avid smoker: “I must admit that I took great pleasure in smoking, and I do adore tobacco—the aroma of it, igniting cigarettes, inhaling them—but this enjoyment comes at a cost, and that cost is emphysema.”
Reportedly, Lynch was unable to leave his residence to direct new works, yet he expressed optimism regarding his health, stating, “I am filled with joy, and I will never retire.” Last week, Lynch’s producer Sabrina Sutherland mentioned on Reddit that he was “fine and safe” after evacuating due to the wildfires in LA.
Born in Missoula, Montana in 1946, Lynch created his first feature film, Eraserhead, while attending the AFI Conservatory from 1972-1976. This surreal and disquieting examination of seclusion and paternity became a cult phenomenon. Lynch’s hallmark success came with the television series Twin Peaks, which blended detective narrative, melodrama, and surreal psychological horror set in the Pacific Northwest, laying the groundwork for the entire prestige TV genre.
Lynch’s unique style has influenced creators worldwide and has left a considerable mark on the last three decades of video games. The creators of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening named Twin Peaks as a crucial influence, drawing on its peculiar characters, dreamlike ambiance, and an underlying tone of something more ominous and melancholic that reflected the show’s impact.
Games from Remedy also draw heavily from Lynch’s work, starting with Max Payne’s dream sequences, its quirky humor, and the Twin Peaks-parodying show-within-a-show, Address Unknown. Moreover, Alan Wake effectively serves as a Twin Peaks video game in all but title, while its sequel demonstrates clear connections to the show’s 2017 continuation, The Return. Swery65’s Deadly Premonition series represents an affectionate homage, possibly the most straightforward video game reference to the series, appearing almost like an unofficial spin-off.
“I am stunned and deeply saddened,” stated Remedy’s creative director Sam Lake on X. “David Lynch has always been an immense source of inspiration for me and has significantly impacted my work. Rest in peace.” In a subsequent post, Lake shared that the internal code name for Alan Wake 2 during its development was “Big Fish,” a nod to Lynch’s memoir concerning meditation and creativity, Catching the Big Fish. “I believe David Lynch is now swimming with the big fish,” Lake reflected. “Rest in peace. His impact is vast and will endure.”
Elsewhere, Lynch’s signature surreal, postmodern style, ominous soundscapes, and ability to create tension from ordinary circumstances are evident in numerous games. The Silent Hill series exemplifies this, containing explicit references to Lynch—Silent Hill 2’s portrayal of doppelgängers is reminiscent of Lynch’s work in Twin Peaks. Hideo Kojima, the creator of Metal Gear and Death Stranding, is also a notable admirer of Lynch’s art: “You instilled me with courage,” Kojima expressed of Lynch in 2018. The entire vaporwave aesthetic, especially its focus on classical statues in unusual settings or arrangements, clearly draws inspiration from Twin Peaks’ iconic Red Room as much as from the video game Myst.
Additional prominent individuals in the gaming industry who have voiced sorrow and respect for Lynch following his death include Immortality developer Sam Barlow, Ultrakill creator Arsi “Hakita” Patala, and Obsidian’s design director Josh Sawyer. “What I appreciated about David Lynch’s works was the profound empathy he exhibited for his characters,” wrote the narrative director of Witcher 4.Philipp Weber. “It is something that I perceive as uncommon these days with much of modern storytelling.
“We have lost a remarkably talented creator, and I feel sorrowful to exist in a world devoid of him. He will be profoundly missed.”
Lynch had devoted recent years to short format projects and musical partnerships, such as a recent collaboration with Twin Peaks performer Chrystabell. In spite of speculative major projects, including a suggested Netflix series titled “Wisteria” that was ultimately not greenlit, Lynch’s last significant creation will remain the 2017 third season of Twin Peaks, The Return. Lynch’s longtime friend and collaborator, performer Kyle McLachlan, conveyed an emotional homage to the director on Instagram: “I shall miss him more than the boundaries of my words can express and my heart can endure. My existence is so much richer because I knew him and feels so much emptier now that he is no longer here.”
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