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These are what we call the 'YMMV items.' Things that some people find in this work. We call them 'your mileage might vary' because not everyone sees these things in the same way. This starts discussions in the trope lists, a thing we don't want. Please use the discussion page if you'd like to discuss any of these items. |
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YMMV: Eraserhead
- Alternative Character Interpretation: Is Henry a put upon man, a neurotic womanizer, or, indeed, completely insane?
- Big Lipped Alligator Moment: Two major scenes in the movie could either be this or subtle touches of symbolism.
- The twenty or so minutes of deleted scenes from the original print (now lost) were supposedly cut for being too much BLAM...
- Ear Worm: The "Lady in the Radiator" scene. Among other kinds of worm.
- Ensemble Darkhorse: The Baby.
- The Lady in the Radiator.
- Everyone Is Jesus in Purgatory: Henry's world certainly feels like purgatory.
- Faux Symbolism: Several scenes in this movie could be either very, very surreal touches of symbolism or a random Big Lipped Alligator Moment.
- Some notice it's just one huge metaphor for marriage and commitment.
- Or guilt and suicide.
- Or abortion.
- Freud Was Right
- I Am Not Shazam: There is nobody named "Eraserhead" in this movie. Despite what you might think, the title doesn't refer to Henry's haircut, it refers to a scene in the movie where somebody makes pencils out of his severed head. It Makes Just As Much Sense In Context.
- Nightmare Fuel: It's David Lynch, what do you expect?
- Nausea Fuel: The Baby.
- Squick: See Nightmare Fuel and add the worms (quite possibly giant sperm) that are everywhere.
- They may symbolize giant sperm, but they are umbilical cords swiped out of a hospital dumpster. One assistant stepped on one accidentally and was so disgusted that she quit the whole production.
- Another interpretation is that the worms are developing fetuses of monster-children much like the baby Henry and Mary already produced.
- True Art Is Incomprehensible
- The Woobie: Henry, Paul, and The Baby.
- Ugly Cute: The Baby.
- And the Lady in the Radiator.
- What Do You Mean, It Wasn't Made on Drugs?: It wasn't. David Lynch doesn't need drugs.
- Apparently there was an interview where he was asked if he took drugs. Lynch said "Yes, I eat huge amounts of sugar" and there was a long silence.