David Lynch’s 22 Strangest ‘Otherworld’ Characters
7. The Mystery Man: Lost Highway
Weve met before, havent we? At your house... As a matter of fact, Im there right now Call me dial your number. While Lost Highway is a divisive film, drawing accusations of misogyny as well as criticisms about its narrative style, there is one element that draws nigh-unanimous praise: Robert Blakes creepy Mystery Man. Dressed all in black and featuring large prosthetic ears, white makeup and dark eye shadow, The Mystery Man is evocative of terrifying characters such as Death in Ingmar Bergmans The Seventh Seal and Nosferatu in Murnaus classic film of the same name. He is decidedly out of place visually in Lost Highway which, despite its carnival of monstrous figures, is predominantly inhabited by normal looking people. The Mystery Man is quite clearly in charge of the narrative of the film, to the extent that he is capable of manipulating space, time and technology and does so frequently. He first appears superimposed over the face of Renee (Patricia Arquette), and subsequently materialises across the timelines of various different characters. His exact role, however, is encapsulated in his name: he is a mystery. There is one scene featuring The Mystery Man that stands out as one of Lynchs finest ever moments. Any fan of Lynch will already know the one. The Mystery Man introduces himself to Fred Madison (Bill Pullman) at a party by reminding him that they have met before at your house, dont you remember? He is referring to the aforementioned superimposition. When Fred does not recollect the meeting, The Mystery Man tells him that he is at his house right now. Freds disbelief is intensified when he is told to call me dial your number. Fred phones his own home, and The Mystery Man still standing in front of him answers. The Mystery Man at the party and his voice on the phone laugh in tandem, generating a truly uncanny moment of Lynchian brilliance.
