There is a man in a smiling bag. The owls are not what they seem. Without chemicals, he points.
These are just a few of the many mysteries permeating the iconic 1990s television series “Twin Peaks” that fans debate to this day. One such fan, FilmScene Programming Director Ben Delgado, first encountered David Lynch’s filmography in high school and was compelled to seek out the show’s original run.
“It moved me deeply,” Delgado said. “I consider Season 1 of Twin Peaks to be one of the most important works of art from the past 50 years.”
“Twin Peaks” is the brainchild of Mark Frost and Lynch, two distinct creative voices whose experience in procedural television and surreal dramas, respectively, came together to concoct a distinct vision of an idyllic Pacific Northwest small town whose foundation is shaken when high schooler Laura Palmer is murdered. FBI agent Dale Cooper is brought in to solve the mystery, thus launching the series’ iconic original run.
In 2017, the show was born anew with “Twin Peaks: The Return,” an 18-episode event that picked up the story 25 years later. With Lynch’s voice more present than ever before, many regarded “The Return” as his masterpiece, with Rolling Stone calling it “the most groundbreaking TV series ever.”
In January 2025, Lynch fans everywhere lamented the filmmaker’s passing at the age of 78. FilmScene held tribute screenings of his work, including “Blue Velvet” and “Mulholland Drive,” but Delgado felt that more could be done to honor such a visionary artist.
“We wanted to air at least some, but the rights were complicated, and we couldn’t manage it,” Delgado said.
Later that year, almost serendipitously, Paramount opened up to licensing the show.
“We decided if we had the chance to do it, we should do it now and do it all,” Delgado said.
FilmScene kicked off the series with Season 1 in November 2025, and nearly every screening sold out as fans flocked to experience the mystery together. After a month-long hiatus, the series returned with Season 2 in January and concluded on Feb. 5.
Logan Drake is one of many FilmScene patrons who seized the opportunity to experience the series on the big screen.
“I had never seen it before. It’s one of those shows I’d always heard about, and it’s always been on my watchlist,” Drake said.
“My wife and I are big fans of FilmScene, so this felt like the perfect opportunity to finally watch it.”
In addition to the larger venue, Drake appreciates how the audience enhances the experience.
“If we just watched Twin Peaks at home, we wouldn’t get ‘Ah, this is the one with the reveal,’ or ‘This is the one with the weird dream.’ It’s fun seeing that in a community and seeing people’s reactions,” he said.
FilmScene concessions office worker Noah Jedlicka also leaped at the chance to experience “Twin Peaks” in theaters.
“I love David Lynch’s take on a wacky soap opera,” Jedlicka said. “They just kinda greenlit him to do whatever he wants. It’s a lot of fun when you just sit back and enjoy the ride.”
To those dedicated enough to catch every episode, a prize will be offered: a hand-painted commemorative log in homage to the show’s iconic “Log Lady.”
In March, the series will recommence once more with the prequel film “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me” paired with its deleted scenes compilation “Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces,” as well as the 2017 revival “Twin Peaks: The Return,” which runs through May.
“Being able to present Twin Peaks in a theater has been a dream,” Delgado said. “I’m super excited that people are coming out and seeing it and having a good time, but also appreciating David Lynch and his work. It means a lot to me.”