6. Eraserhead (1977)
Universal
What's It All About? David Lynchs freshman feature paved the way for what is now considered one of the most commercially successful and widely known avant-garde careers in film history. Stanley Kubrick once cited Eraserhead as his favourite movie; indeed its influence has been enormous, not just on Lynchs own subsequent work, but on anyone who has tried to portray surrealism in cinema since. On the surface, it plays out as a dislocated nightmare, full of disturbing imagery depicting the troubled life of a possibly psychotic father, Henry Spencer (Jack Nance) who is reluctantly tasked with looking after his newborn baby, which may or may not actually be human. Given the obvious central theme a fear of fatherhood its probably no coincidence that Lynchs own daughter, Jennifer, was born with clubbed feet shortly before the production: an unfortunate if not life-threatening condition which needed extensive surgery to correct.
What's The Question Then? Are you afraid of becoming a daddy?
Does It Answer It? Yes. Be afraid, says Lynch. Be very afraid.