Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Film

Mulholland Drive

Mulholland Drive is a 2001 mystery film written and directed by David Lynch.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Mulholland Drive is a 2001 mystery film written and directed by David Lynch. Set in Los Angeles, it follows an aspiring actress, an amnesiac woman, and a Hollywood director in a surreal, neo-noir narrative.

What it is

The film stars Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, and Justin Theroux. Its story centres on an aspiring actress, an amnesiac woman, and a Hollywood director whose lives become entangled in a surreal, nonlinear plot. Lynch’s original screenplay combines mystery, neo-noir, and surrealist drama.

Why it matters

Mulholland Drive received widespread critical acclaim and is considered one of Lynch’s major achievements. Lynch won Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Director. The film has also been discussed in Canadian film and popular-culture circles for its international impact.

Key details

The film was a French-American collaboration and runs 145 minutes. It is known for its surreal style and themes of identity, illusion, memory, and the darker side of Hollywood. Though not tied to Canada in production, its influence has been noted in Canadian film discussions.

In short

  • Written and directed by David Lynch, released in 2001.
  • Stars Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, and Justin Theroux.
  • Known for surreal, nonlinear style and neo-noir elements.
  • Lynch won Cannes Best Director; Oscar nomination for Best Director.
Canadian angle

The film has had strong international critical recognition, including in Canadian film and popular-culture discussions, but it is not specifically tied to Canada in its production or setting.

Quick questions

What is Mulholland Drive?
Mulholland Drive is a 2001 mystery film written and directed by David Lynch, set in Los Angeles and known for its surreal storytelling.
Who stars in the film?
The main cast includes Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, and Justin Theroux.
What awards did it win?
David Lynch won Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival for the film, and he also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Director.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulholland_Drive_(film)
    Supports: Basic film identification, year, director, plot summary, awards, and box-office information.
  2. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulholland_Drive_(movie)
    Supports: Confirmation of the film’s genre, director, cast, and Cannes Best Director award.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0166924/
    Supports: Release year, plot summary, cast, and stylistic description.
  4. The Movie Database — https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1018-mulholland-drive?language=en-US
    Supports: Plot synopsis and main cast.
  5. The Criterion Collection — https://www.criterion.com/films/28050-mulholland-dr
    Supports: Synopsis and critical framing of the film.