You Won’t Believe Why ‘Mulholland Drive’ Should Have Been #1 Over ‘Parasite’

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As a movie enthusiast, I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the recent publication of a ranking list by The New York Times, featuring the top 100 films that graced our screens in the 21st century. This prestigious list was compiled from votes cast by over 500 influential figures in the world of filmmaking, including actors and directors. To my delight, Bong Joon-ho’s masterpiece, “Parasite” (2019), a dark satirical thriller that took the world by storm, claimed the number one spot. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that “Parasite” is the first non-English language film to secure the coveted Best Picture award at the Oscars.

New York Times List Ranking
The Social Network #10
Spirited Away #9
Get Out #8
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind #7
No Country for Old Men #6
Moonlight #5
In the Mood for Love #4
There Will Be Blood #3
Mulholland Drive #2
Parasite #1

In actuality, the second place pick was equally worthy of first, or perhaps even more so: the captivating 2001 masterpiece, Mulholland Drive, directed by the legendary David Lynch. The movie revolves around an ambitious actress named Betty (Naomi Watts) who, upon arriving in Hollywood, encounters a woman with amnesia (Laura Harring) and assists her in recovering her identity. Concurrently, a young filmmaker (Justin Theroux) grapples with his creative process as the underworld exerts influence to cast an unsuitable actress in his next project. Notably, the film also includes a striking cameo by the late singer Rebekah Del Rio. Sadly, she passed away just recently.

Although Mulholland Drive may appear straightforward at first glance, it’s actually a blend of a mind-bending journey and a haunting experience, much like many of David Lynch’s films. However, there’s a hidden logic to its confusion. The film explores the gap between Hollywood’s portrayal as a land of love, glamour, and success, and its hidden world of corruption and vice. Essentially, Mulholland Drive implies that Hollywood is just a facade, enticing naive individuals like Betty/Diane with the allure of success, only to shatter their dreams once they arrive, much like the Sirens in Homer’s Odyssey who lured sailors to their doom.

‘Mulholland Drive’s Mind-Bending Narrative Structure

Originally, Lynch planned Mulholland Drive as an episode for an unproduced television series. Despite transforming it into a full-length movie, numerous characters and storylines that would have been expanded upon in the series remained fragmented, appearing as separate, unexplained scenes that don’t connect to the main plot. For instance, early in the film, a man named Dan (Patrick Fischler) shares with his friend Herb (Michael Cooke Moloney) a recurring dream about a diner where they sit, yet this dream later appears to materialize, only for the characters and location to disappear afterward and reappear much later in the movie.

As the story unfolds, it grows increasingly strange and perplexing towards the end. The camera suddenly transports us into an alternate reality where Watts’s character is called Diane Selywn instead of Betty Elms, and Harring’s character is named Camilla rather than Rita. This dark final act is often seen as representing actuality, whereas all events prior to this might be a dream or fantasy. However, it is just as plausible that neither reality is the truth.

Essentially, throughout the movie, it subtly hints that the “real” world is encroaching on this fantastical realm even before the major shift. In essence, the film can be seen as a twin piece with another Lynch film based in L.A., featuring a narrative loop: Lost Highway (1997). Similar to Mulholland Drive, Lost Highway alternates between two distinct timeframes, one of which appears to be a character’s illusion and the other actual, and also features an actress (Patricia Arquette) portraying two separate characters.

Instead of diminishing the movie’s excellence, the complex and confusing storyline of Mulholland Drive plays a crucial role in its success. The enigmatic nature of peculiar characters, dreamlike imagery, and non-linear narrative mirrors the psychological decline that many aspiring actors and filmmakers face while navigating Hollywood. Those who can adapt to the chaos and ruthless industry culture stand a chance of surviving, but most people find it impossible.

‘Mulholland Drive’ Is a Searing Indictment of the Film Industry

One strong argument for considering Mulholland Drive as the best film of the 21st century is its unparalleled portrayal of the ruthless exploitation and psychological damage inflicted by the film industry, specifically towards women. For example, when Betty auditions for her initial on-screen role, she is teamed up with an older man (Chad Everett) for a sexually charged scene in front of multiple older male producers and the director.

In my opinion, as a film critic, Betty delivers an exceptional performance in this scene. However, it’s undeniably awkward due to the significant age gap and a unsettling vibe that suggests her scene partner might be relishing the audition process excessively. This scene seems to subtly echo the troubling concept of the “casting couch,” a term often used to describe the practice of requesting sexual favors from aspiring actresses in exchange for roles – a practice that regrettably has deep roots in Hollywood. Given the current wave of the #MeToo Movement, this topic feels particularly pertinent and thought-provoking.

Delving deeper into Mulholland Drive’s intricate narrative, the movie tackles a multitude of themes beyond its initial surface. Among these are Hollywood-related topics such as queer desire and traditional norms, nepotism, power struggles between directors and studios, identity, and desire themselves. This complexity has made it a subject of intense scrutiny and debate among both academic scholars and casual viewers alike.

Compared to Parasite, which presents its themes directly and offers less opportunity for personal interpretation, Mulholland Drive’s enigmatic nature and complexity, characteristic of David Lynch’s work, makes it a film that will continue to be analyzed and debated among audiences. This enduring quality is what sets Mulholland Drive apart as the standout film of the 21st century. By the way, you can rent Mulholland Drive on Apple TV+ and Prime Video.

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2025-07-05 00:34