'I Know Catherine, The Log Lady' Review – A Loving Tribute to Catherine Coulson’s Remarkable Life and Career

I had no intention of crying today. But the new documentary I Know Catherine, The Log Lady had other plans for me. This loving, beautiful, and extraordinary film bursts with love, humor, and grief in equal measure. You may not be familiar with actress Catherine Coulson, but she made a lasting impact on many lives—those closest to her, and those who only knew her as the wacky yet wise TV character who carried a log wherever she went.

Catherine Coulson is best known for playing The Log Lady on television’s Twin Peaks, a show that was the vanguard of cutting-edge television. But what you may not realize is just how much of her work you’ve likely seen without ever knowing it. After coming of age in the 1960s and getting into acting, Catherine moved behind the camera thanks to her longtime friend David Lynch and became a top-tier camera assistant.

Her work with Lynch and his cinematography team led her to several major film projects, including a key behind-the-scenes role on the beloved sci-fi sequel Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan. But Catherine’s first love was acting, and she eventually returned to the stage, joining a popular San Francisco acting troupe called The Circus. In her late 40s, she found a second home as a performer with the prestigious Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

I Know Catherine, The Log Lady presents this remarkable journey through intimate interviews and personal stories from Catherine’s wide circle of friends. Director Richard Green thoughtfully weaves her backstory with a moving account of her final days before passing from lung cancer. What emerges is a gentle yet powerful life story, more than worthy of being told on screen. The final act coalesces Catherine’s colorful past into a tribute that honors the joy, art, and humanity she shared with the world.

Honestly, I had been prepared to write this documentary off as a quirky oddity—especially before the recent passing of David Lynch, whose life was so deeply connected to Catherine’s. I thought it was a niche story and puzzled over how they could build so much around a relatively unknown character actor. I truly suck. This is one of my favorite documentary experiences in recent memory. I was bowled over by Catherine Coulson’s life and especially by the sheer number of people it took to help tell it. She was so loved. It makes you want to live a life so full that your death becomes a celebration—of love, laughter, grief, and unforgettable memories.

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I Know Catherine, The Log Lady

Opens May 1st and May 4th at the IFC Center in New York City.

Opens May 9th, 2025 at the Laemmle Theater in Los Angeles.

Further information regarding showings of the film, tickets to see I Know Catherine, The Log Lady, and other information regarding the documentary can be found at this link [Here].

Tags: Catherine Coulson, The Log Lady, Twin Peaks, David Lynch, Richard Green, documentary review, film review, I Know Catherine The Log Lady, movie review 2025, actor tributes, Star Trek Wrath of Khan, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Sean at the Movies