Why is David Lynch's 'Mulholland Drive' considered the "best thriller of the 21st century"? NYT poll explained

The New York Times conducted a poll to determine the best thriller film of the 21st century, and David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive was voted the best thriller of the 21st century.

The film seamlessly blends psychological horror, mystery, and neo-noir elements. It's also celebrated for its cast, which includes Naomi Watts, whose performance is often cited as one of the best, and Laura Harring.

Another reason why the film is considered one of the best films of the century is that it has influenced countless filmmakers and is studied in film schools for its unique storytelling.

More on why Mulholland Drive is considered the best thriller film

Among the best 100 films of the 21st century, Mulholland Drive topped the list. The film is known for defining genres, narrative complexity, and psychological tension. The film has also previously received many awards, including the 2001 Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Director.

The film's dreamlike narrative challenged audiences and critics, and it featured identity shifts and ambiguous scenes that audiences remember to date. The film did not have over-the-top action scenes; however, it built tension through atmosphere, music, and emotion.

The mystery-centered film relies on a haunting score, eerie silences, and uncanny performances. Naomi Watts and other actors in the film displayed a vast emotional range.

Mulholland Drive was initially made as a TV show for the ABC network. It was filmed in 1999, and the story was open-ended like a mystery series; however, ABC did not approve it. Later, David Lynch, along with StudioCanal, turned it into a film with a proper ending and even shot new scenes to finish it.

The film goes by the tagline 'a love story in the city of dreams' and the storyline is such that it doesn’t clearly explain what’s real or what’s imagined, hence it is left up to the viewers, critics, and even the actors to guess what it all means.

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Other accolades the film has received in the past include being Ranked No. 8 in the 2022 Sight and Sound Greatest Films of All Time critics' poll, best film of the 2000s by the LA Film Critics Association, and best film of the 21st century by the BBC and IndieWire.

David Lynch's other notable works include the series Twin Peaks, Lost Highway, and The Elephant Man. Overall, Mulholland Drive is the highest-ranked English-language film on the list after Bong Joon Ho’s South Korean thriller film, Parasite.

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