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Eraserhead

Play trailer 0:46 Poster for Eraserhead 1977 1h 29m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
87% Tomatometer 85 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Henry (John Nance) resides alone in a bleak apartment surrounded by industrial gloom. When he discovers that an earlier fling with Mary X (Charlotte Stewart) left her pregnant, he marries the expectant mother and has her move in with him. Things take a decidedly strange turn when the couple's baby turns out to be a bizarre lizard-like creature that won't stop wailing. Other characters, including a disfigured lady who lives inside a radiator, inhabit the building and add to Henry's troubles.
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Eraserhead

Eraserhead

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Critics Consensus

David Lynch's surreal Eraserhead uses detailed visuals and a creepy score to create a bizarre and disturbing look into a man's fear of parenthood.

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Critics Reviews

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Bernard Zuel Sydney Morning Herald Apr 24, 2026
It feels like the very best of student film, but with more vivid imagination, more skill at the edges, more craft at the core. Go to Full Review
J. Hoberman Village Voice Jan 23, 2025
Eraserhead's not a movie I'd drop acid for, although I would consider it a revolutionary act if someone dropped a reel of it into the middle of Star Wars. Go to Full Review
Linda Gross Los Angeles Times Jan 23, 2025
Monster babies, like concentration camps, are bad subjects for jokes. Although Lynch's taste is objectionable, his directorial talent is unquestionable. Go to Full Review
Charlotte Simmons The Treatment (Substack) Apr 24, 2026
In a sentence, it is the sexful Henry’s anxiety-based wish to inhabit the destructive without the creative, hence "Eraserhead." Go to Full Review
Max Allen Horror Movie Talk Dec 4, 2025
7/10
Time moves awkwardly slow, a low hum and sharp static hang over most of the scenes, and even the mere movements of the characters feel so off. Go to Full Review
Pat Padua Washington City Paper Apr 30, 2025
...took several years to complete but unspools like a single, unforgettable fever dream. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Sean May 17, 2026 One of the all-time greats See more
tommy Feb 1, 2025 The ugliness of the universe is pulling the levers to release the baby (spirit) into the world dropped in to the water (wet planet earth) hairy hole gurney dirty industrial area the dirtiness of man the torn photo is how he feels about her he’s torn she is attached to her mother like the puppies to theirs In American culture family is everything keep grandma involved a slight toward the poultry industry man made chicken has her in a trance the divine comedy she’s crying bill is smiling Americans getting married due to tradition they don’t want to be together a child out of lust may not be as nurtured as one out of love she is a prisoner of her own thoughts she’s packed her bag and made up her mind the light in the furnace everything in heaven is fine go to the light his wife is the parasite in his life she’s causing nightmares the woman in the furnace is the woman of his dreams his worm in the box is his dirty little secret you can experience the light and things you want but Henry is attached to his earthly wants the ugliness of the universe shows it’s face if you stay of you give up on your dreams you will become another object to be used someone will come along and steal your thoughts and get paid for it lust not fulfilled baby laughs kill what keeps you attached and you will obtain heaven See more
Tyrone T @RT93039779 1 day ago Even though Eraserhead has strange aspects and a dark atmosphere, those qualities give the film its soul and unique artistic style. Its slow pace reflects its themes of isolation and anxiety. The movie requires deeper analysis to understand its meaning, which is why I see it as a great work of art. See more
Chase B @RT59450598 2 days ago I agree with the majority when they say this movie is pretty slowly and sometimes a bit boring. But despite that, I think this movie is decent enough to give a shot at least once. The weird and gross parts are definitely the only highlights of the film in my opinion, but overall, the movie is ok. See more
Jacky A @RT21617456 Oct 27, 2026 not even going to lie, Eraserhead was probably one of the weirdest movies I’ve ever watched. Half the time, I was confused about what was happening, and the creepy sounds and uncomfortable scenes made everything even stranger. What I found interesting was how the movie showed the fear of responsibility and becoming a parent. I felt like Henry was constantly living in a nightmare he couldn’t escape. Personally, I don’t think I’d watch it again, but I can appreciate how creative and different it was. It’s definitely not for everyone, but I can see why people consider it a cult classic. See more
Robert P @Superbad Oct 16, 2026 Eraserhead is a "4" star Movie! See more
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Eraserhead

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Movie Info

Synopsis Henry (John Nance) resides alone in a bleak apartment surrounded by industrial gloom. When he discovers that an earlier fling with Mary X (Charlotte Stewart) left her pregnant, he marries the expectant mother and has her move in with him. Things take a decidedly strange turn when the couple's baby turns out to be a bizarre lizard-like creature that won't stop wailing. Other characters, including a disfigured lady who lives inside a radiator, inhabit the building and add to Henry's troubles.
Director
David Lynch
Producer
David Lynch
Screenwriter
David Lynch
Production Co
American Film Institute
Genre
Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 17, 1977, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 25, 2015
Runtime
1h 29m
Sound Mix
Surround
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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