His films frequently feature animals as central metaphors for human behavior and social control, most explicitly in 'Killing of a Sacred Deer' and his absurdist exploration of bodily autonomy.

Lynch uses animals, particularly birds, as recurring symbols of mystery, unease, and the unconscious in films like 'Eraserhead' and 'Twin Peaks,' creating dreamlike atmospheres of dread.

Herzog's documentaries and narrative films obsessively examine the relationship between humans and nature/animals, exploring themes of dominance, vulnerability, and primal existence.