Quentin Tarantino Once Revealed the David Lynch Film He Can’t Stand

Quentin Tarantino once openly criticized David Lynch’s 1992 film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, calling it a disaster after seeing it at Cannes.

In a 1992 interview with LA Weekly, Tarantino said, “I’m not ragging on other people, but after I saw ‘Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me’ at Cannes, David Lynch has disappeared so far up his own a* that I have no desire to see another David Lynch movie until I hear something different.”*

Despite the harsh words, he added, “And you know, I love him. I loved him.”

At the time of its release, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me faced widespread criticism. Lynch, known for his unique style, admitted the film would be polarizing.

However, American critics were mostly negative. New Line Cinema chose not to pre-screen the film, which the Los Angeles Times described as unusual. Industry insiders reportedly expected the movie to flop.

When it premiered, reviews were scathing. Vincent Canby of The New York Times called it a film that “induce[d] a state of simulated brain death,” while Rita Kempley from The Washington Post criticized Lynch’s approach as “perversely moving, profoundly self-indulgent,” pointing to its religious imagery as unsettling. Other critics labeled it “simplistic” and “depressingly interminable.”

Some reviewers offered more measured opinions. Todd McCarthy from Variety questioned the need for a prequel, suggesting that while parts of the film were “sometimes captivating,” its main plot points were obvious to fans.

Peter Travers from Rolling Stone felt the film could not match the impact of the TV series pilot, though he remained hopeful about Lynch’s future work. Michael Wilmington of the Los Angeles Times described it as “not a superior movie” alone, but argued that combined with the series, it achieved a cultural significance.

Despite the negative reception in the U.S., a few critics defended the film. Steve Erickson of LA Weekly praised Laura Palmer’s story as “remarkable and disturbingly authentic,” arguing that critics attacked the film for its daring rather than its quality.

He explained, “people are ultimately appalled not by [the film’s] badness but its integrity.” Others, including Jay Boyar of the Orlando Sentinel, acknowledged that the film’s style might alienate viewers but saw it as a powerful portrayal of Laura Palmer’s life.

In the U.K., reactions were slightly more positive. Critics like Kim Newman of Sight & Sound appreciated its originality and Lynch’s risk in making a prequel, while Jeff Dawson of Empire called it “a triumph” despite its unsettling content.

Some British reviewers, however, felt the film was difficult for audiences, with Barry Norman of the BBC eventually warming to it, saying that Lynch’s work deserved patience and understanding.

Over time, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me was reassessed and is now considered a landmark in cinema for its bold storytelling and emotional depth.

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