In a birthday gift only David Lynch could ask for, the director found himself across the table from a monkey that might be guilty of a crime. Yes, the 74-year-old auteur has released a 17-minute short film entitled What Did Jack Do? that consists of him interrogating a capuchin monkey.
It debuted on Netflix with this one-sentence synopsis: “In a locked down train station, a homicide detective conducts an interview with a tormented monkey.”
Well, if that doesn't pique your interest, I don't know what would.
Shot in grainy black and white, this neo-noir is a bizarre murder investigation that has a few twists and turns along the way.
While this is certainly a look into the demented mind of its creator, I think the main lessons for readers to take away is that it's not the special effects or incredible camera work that makes a short film stand out, but the hook and the story.
Once you see that it's a monkey being interrogated, you lean into the ridiculous premise and the seventeen minutes go by at a brisk pace.
If your story doesn't have an interesting hook, how will it cut through the clutter we confront every day?
We haven't heard much from Lynch since Twin Peaks bowed at the end of 2017. He's been mum on a sequel, but we hope his mind continues to churn out stories that make you think, laugh, and question reality.
Until then, at least you got him yelling at a monkey!
Oh...and the monkey sings too!
