Collegiate Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle McLachlan), has returned to his North Carolina home town to visit his father. One day he discovers a severed ear lying in a field and so brings it to the attention of the authorities. His own investigation of the ear's origins leads him to a bizarre parallel world hidden behind the facade of the supposedly nice and ordinary American town. Jeffrey becomes involved with club-singer Dorothy (Isabella Rosselini) who is the target for sadistic villain Frank (Dennis Hopper). Daring and original film from cult filmmaker David Lynch who uncovered here for the first time the themes that he subsequently developed in Twin Peaks and Wild At Heart.