David Lynch’s 1985 neo-noir masterpiece Blue Velvet is stepping into the spotlight once again—but this time, it’s free.
Previously available only on paid streaming platforms like YouTube and Apple TV+, the cult classic is now accessible to Amazon Prime Video subscribers, giving a whole new audience a chance to experience its haunting story.
A Controversial Film That Defied the Studios
When Blue Velvet was first made, its graphic sexual content and intense violence caused several studios to reject it.
But against the odds, the film became the launching pad that revitalized Lynch’s career after his 1984 movie Dune failed to impress.
The story follows teenage detective Jeffrey Beaumont, played by Kyle MacLachlan, who returns home after his father suffers a severe stroke.
When he discovers a severed ear near his house, he teams up with Sandy Williams, the daughter of a local detective, to solve the mysterious case.
Their investigation draws them into the dangerous world of crime boss Frank Booth, played by Dennis Hopper, and nightclub singer Dorothy Vallens, portrayed by Isabella Rossellini, who is held against her will.
Critical Acclaim and Lasting Impact
Blue Velvet is widely regarded as one of Lynch’s most successful films. In 1987, the Evening Standard described it as:
“One of the most extraordinary erotic and mesmerising experiences I have ever had in cinema… Blue Velvet has the power to unsettle and disturb like nothing else.”
Over the years, the film has earned numerous critic awards and was named among the top ten greatest mystery films by the American Film Institute in 2008.
It currently holds an impressive 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting its enduring influence and acclaim.
Laura Dern’s Life-Changing Role
The film also marked a turning point for Laura Dern, who played Sandy Williams.
In a recent appearance on the Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast, Dern revealed that she had to leave the University of California, where she was enrolled at UCLA, to take on the role.
“I was 17, so excited to get into UCLA. I was there for two days, and I had auditioned and got offered the role in Blue Velvet,” Dern said.
Her request for a leave of absence was initially denied by the head of UCLA’s film department.
After reading the controversial script, however, he informed Dern that she would have to drop out of the program.
He even called her “insane” for prioritizing the film over her education.
Behind the Scenes and Lasting Collaborations
Blue Velvet was filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina, between August and November 1985.
The movie received an R-rating due to its full-frontal nudity, graphic violence, and a controversial rape scene, sparking intense debate at the time.
Despite the controversy, Lynch earned a Best Director nomination at the 1987 Academy Awards.
Dern’s collaboration with Lynch didn’t end there. She went on to star in Wild At Heart (1990) and Inland Empire (2006), cementing a decades-long creative partnership between the actress and the visionary director.