A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man being mistreated by his "owner" as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of great intelligence and sensitivity. Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick (called John Merrick in the film), a severely deformed man in 19th century London.

David Lynch's relatively straight second feature finds an admirable synthesis of compassion and restraint in treating its subject, and features outstanding performances by John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins.

'The Elephant Man' is acclaimed for its profound themes of compassion and societal prejudice, and the exceptional performances by John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins. The striking makeup and cinematography are also highly praised. However, some critics note historical inaccuracies and deviations from Joseph Merrick's true story. A few find the film overly sentimental or slow-paced. Despite these criticisms, it is generally seen as a moving, thought-provoking film that challenges perceptions of normalcy and beauty.