Under the Silver Lake (2018), directed by David Robert Mitchell , is a polarizing surrealist neo-noir that has developed a dedicated cult following due to its dense layering of hidden codes and conspiracy theories .

Set in modern-day Los Angeles, the film follows Sam ( Andrew Garfield ), an aimless, pop-culture-obsessed 33-year-old on the verge of eviction. His life takes a sharp turn when his mysterious neighbor Sarah (Riley Keough) vanishes overnight. Sam embarks on a feverish quest across the city to find her, decoding what he believes are secret messages hidden in everything from Billboard-topping songs to cereal boxes .