Movie buffs you know the Oscars In Memoriam segment right? It's that moment to pause remember and honor all the film folks we have lost in the past year. This year was emotional as always but it is one tribute in particular that has everyone talking and maybe a little fired up: David Lynch's.
5 Seconds for a Legend? Social Media Erupts Over David Lynch's Oscars Tribute Length
Yep you read that right. Apparently the tribute to the celebrated director David Lynch in the 2025 Oscars In Memoriam segment was super short like blink-and-you-miss-it short. Social media is now buzzing with fans expressing their disappointment and honestly outrage. Was a few seconds really enough for a filmmaker who changed cinema as we know it?
The In Memoriam segment itself was presented by Morgan Freeman and soundtracked by a live performance of Mozart's 'Lacrimosa'. It's supposed to be a moving and respectful part of the ceremony. But for David Lynch many viewers felt like his contribution was seriously shortchanged.
RuPaul's Drag Race star Katya Zamolodchikova was among the first to call it out tweeting "Not giving David Lynch something more substantial than a 2 second in memoriam clip — #Oscars2025 you better sleep with both eyes open." Another user lamented "they relegated david lynch to a five second clip in the in memorium segment." Fans are not happy to say the least. Some feel it was disrespectful to his legacy.
People are especially comparing it to a much longer segment dedicated to James Bond. One user pointed out "makes me sad seeing James Bond get this 10 minute segment but then David Lynch gets a 10 second in memoriam clip like…that dude forever changed the fin entertainment world bro. he deserved a lot more than that." The frustration is real. Many believe Lynch's impact on film was way bigger than a quick moment in a montage.
'Scary Music' and Missed Opportunities: More Fan Complaints About Oscars In Memoriam Choices
It's not just the length of David Lynch's tribute that has people talking. Some viewers were also confused and not in a good way about the music choice for the whole segment. Using Mozart's 'Lacrimosa' which is part of his Requiem Mass and can sound pretty intense struck some as odd for a tribute. One person tweeted about the "scary music" asking why they used that instead of something like "Angels" by Robbie Williams which they felt would have been more fitting for a memorial.
Remembering Gene Hackman and Maggie Smith: Other Tributes During the Oscars Segment
While the focus is on Lynch's short tribute it is worth noting the In Memoriam segment did honor other significant figures too. Morgan Freeman actually led a special tribute to Gene Hackman before the main segment began calling him a "dear friend" and a "giant". Clips of Hackman's films were shown and Freeman shared a touching message about Hackman's legacy. Maggie Smith the beloved British actor known for Harry Potter also received a mention in the montage. Other notable names included Donald Sutherland Shelley Duvall and James Earl Jones.
Blue Velvet Nod? Isabella Rossellini's Dress Choice a Possible Tribute to David Lynch
Amidst the controversy there was also a subtle and touching tribute spotted at the Oscars. Isabella Rossellini who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress wore a Blue Velvet dress to the ceremony. Fans online quickly pointed out that this could be a deliberate nod to David Lynch and their collaboration on his iconic 1986 film Blue Velvet. Rossellini and Lynch had a significant creative partnership so this dress choice could be seen as a personal and meaningful way to honor him.
Hollywood and Fans Mourned David Lynch: Remembering a Cinematic Visionary
David Lynch's passing in January at the age of 78 was a huge loss to the film world. Tributes poured in from across Hollywood and beyond. Steven Spielberg called him "an original and unique voice". Many other big names like Laura Dern Nicolas Cage and Edgar Wright shared their admiration for his work. Even the gaming world acknowledged his influence on popular games.
Lynch's fans also organized worldwide group meditations to honor him. His unique "Lynchian" style a blend of surrealism darkness and dreamlike imagery has left an undeniable mark on cinema. He won an honorary Oscar in 2019 after being nominated for The Elephant Man Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive proving his impact was recognized even before his passing.
2025 Oscars: Anora Takes Top Honors - But David Lynch's Tribute Remains a Talking Point
The 2025 Oscars themselves had some big winners. Anora was the night's big victor taking home five awards including Best Picture Best Actress and Best Director. The Brutalist Dune: Part Two Wicked and Emilia Perez also won multiple awards. But despite the awards and the glamour it is David Lynch's brief In Memoriam tribute that seems to be lingering in many people's minds. It has sparked a conversation about how the Oscars honors cinematic legends and whether brevity sometimes misses the mark.
Key Takeaways: David Lynch's Oscars In Memoriam Controversy
- Short Tribute Length: David Lynch's In Memoriam clip at the 2025 Oscars was perceived by many as too short at only a few seconds.
- Fan Outrage: Social media users expressed disappointment and anger at the brevity comparing it unfavorably to other segments.
- James Bond Comparison: A longer segment dedicated to James Bond while Lynch got a short clip drew criticism.
- Music Choice Questioned: The use of Mozart's 'Lacrimosa' was seen as "scary" and inappropriate by some viewers.
- Gene Hackman Tribute: Morgan Freeman gave a separate heartfelt tribute to Gene Hackman before the In Memoriam segment.
- Isabella Rossellini's Nod: Actress Isabella Rossellini possibly paid tribute to Lynch with a blue velvet dress.
- Lynch's Legacy: Despite the controversy David Lynch's significant impact on cinema and his "Lynchian" style are undeniable and widely celebrated.