‘The End of Oak Street’s Director Made a Cult Detective Movie You’ve Probably Never Seen
Director David Robert Mitchell released 'Under the Silver Lake' in 2019, a bold stylistic departure following his 2014 indie horror success 'It Follows.' Starring Andrew Garfield as a conspiracy-obsessed Los Angeles resident investigating his neighbour's disappearance, the dense noir-thriller explores Hollywood's underbelly and earned only $2 million against its $8 million budget whilst achieving a polarised critical reception of 58% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film exemplifies the commercial unpredictability of granting filmmakers creative freedom. Mitchell employs surreal imagery, period noir aesthetics, and actual LA landmarks to examine the gap between entertainment's romanticised perception and its seedy reality, particularly regarding aspiring actresses. Garfield's deliberately unsympathetic performance as an aimless, morally ambiguous character, combined with the film's exploration of cults and subliminal manipulation, demonstrates distinctly personal artistic vision—showcasing both the creative potential and financial risk inherent in unconventional filmmaking.
- David Robert Mitchell's 'Under the Silver Lake,' a noir-thriller follow-up to his indie hit 'It Follows,' divided critics and failed commercially despite creative ambition
- The film deconstructs Hollywood mythology through a darkly cynical lens, using Los Angeles locations and conspiracy themes to contrast entertainment's romantic image with industry exploitation