David Lynch Called This Surprising Modern Film a “Fantastic Comedy”

David Lynch once surprised fans by naming a very dark film as one of his favorite modern comedies.

In a 2012 interview with the LA Times, the director described Yorgos Lanthimos’ 2009 Greek film Dogtooth as “a fantastic comedy.” While the description might seem odd, given the film’s disturbing story, it reflects Lynch’s unique taste in cinema.

Dogtooth is an absurdist psychological drama about a controlling father who keeps his three adult children isolated and ignorant of the outside world. The parents manipulate their children’s reality, rewarding obedience with small treats and punishing disobedience with violence. The film’s odd and unsettling tone helped bring Lanthimos international attention and marked his first major success in filmmaking.

The film, written by Lanthimos and Efthymis Filippou, earned critical acclaim. It won the Prix Un Certain Regard at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 83rd Academy Awards. Greek critic Dimitris Danikas described Dogtooth as “black, surreal, nightmarish” and praised its place in modern Greek cinema. He called the film “perfect,” noting its combination of surrealism and dark social commentary.

International critics also recognized Dogtooth’s unique style. Rotten Tomatoes reports a 93% approval rating, and Metacritic gives it a 72 out of 100. Reviewers highlighted Lanthimos’ distinctive visual style and the film’s unsettling narrative. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian wrote that the movie is “superbly shot, with some deadpan, elegant compositions, and intentionally skewiff framings.” Roger Ebert said Lanthimos had “complete command of visuals and performances,” noting the film’s unusual cinematography and dialogue.

Despite its disturbing content, Dogtooth is celebrated for its originality. A. O. Scott of The New York Times commented on its dreamlike quality, writing that the imagery is haunting and evocative. Comparisons have been made to earlier works of surrealist and provocative cinema, including Luis Buñuel and Michael Haneke.

David Lynch’s admiration for Dogtooth shows his appreciation for films that challenge conventions and mix dark themes with subtle humor. Calling it “a fantastic comedy” may be a reflection of the film’s absurdity and the ironic detachment of its characters.

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