Filmstelle

The actress Nikki Grace receives a strange visit from a mysterious older woman at her home in Los Angeles. The woman tells Nikki about a role in an upcoming film that is supposed to revive Nikki’s career. Nikki lands the coveted role, but it quickly becomes apparent that the entire film production is shrouded in secrets. When Nikki goes through a door on the film set, she seems to transform into several different personalities who interact in various cryptic timelines with a dream-like logic.

Summarizing the plot of Inland Empire coherently in words is almost impossible. The film was shot mainly without a script; many scenes were improvised, and excerpts from the director’s previous projects were used as transitional scenes. Nevertheless, David Lynch once again demonstrates what makes him one of the boldest filmmakers of all time. As the producer, he had complete creative control and freedom over the project, and his brilliant storytelling style, with its surreal and eerie elements, is unmistakable in Inland Empire. It is a film that is perfect not only for Lynch fans but also for all moviegoers who enjoy unusual and experimental films.