Donnie Darko poster & wallpaper

Drew Barrymore, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone

A troubled teenager is plagued by visions of a large bunny rabbit that manipulates him to commit a series of crimes, after narrowly escaping a bizarre accident.

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77% liked it

29,532,807 ratings

Critics

84% liked it

97 critics

R, 1 hr. 53 min.

Directed by: Richard Kelly

Release Date: January 19, 2001

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DVD Release Date: March 19, 2002

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Flixster Reviews (860,241)

  • SirPant
    August 26, 2009
    SirPant
    I liked Donnie Darko a lot. It's very original, intriguing and does not let you down, esp at the end. Its not as amazing as everyone says though, its turned into a victim of its own hype for me.
  • ironclad1609
    July 30, 2009
    ironclad1609
    What made this independent film such a surprise success, beyond the surprisingly many great names in the cast, is hard to say. Because this flick is certainly not easy to stomach: scary rabbit men, time travels, high school drama, teen angst movie, there is a lot going on here. T...( read more)he foreboding, dark atmosphere and Frank's countdown to the end of the world make for a pretty gloomy mood. Opposite to that are the colorful, beautifully filmed, almost video clip like scenes that include some interesting choices of music (Tears for fears, The Church) and make for some of the most unforgettable scenes of the film. To say much more than that about the plot would be spoiling for those unfortunate souls who have not seen this yet. As a whole the film feels really deep and smart, with meaning in almost each and every scene, and requires a few views to get all levels. How you react to the solution that is most definitely one of the bigger twists of recent cinema history everyone has to decide on their own. But no one should miss out on this odd, sad and beautiful masterpiece.
  • YosemiteSamFan
    July 5, 2009
    YosemiteSamFan
    Donnie Darko - great tribute to the 80's generation with songs and references to that era. Jake Gyllenhaal is superb as Donnie Darko, a depressed and delusional teen. I must also note that Drew Barrymore is great as his teacher; she always brightens up any movie she's in. This mo...( read more)vie is definitely a masterpiece, with its group of complex characters and the underlying plot of destiny and time travel woven in. I've re-watched it many times, because there are many angles to the story. Knowing what happens, it's good to re-watch, to see how all the events within the movie support the eventual conclusion. The Director's Cut of this film hilights some of the time travel theory more clearly, but I prefer the shorter Theatrical Cut without the clues revealed. Each viewing, I still feel for Donnie's choices at the end.

    Favorite Scene: Mad World song at the end and the montage of changed lives.
  • ohagankieran
    June 9, 2009
    ohagankieran
    In recent years, Hollywood has specialised in churning out mainstream trash; generic trash not even fit for the cutting room floor. Yet despite these movies' shortcomings, they continue to enjoy success at the box office. Sequel upon sequel, photo fit remake upon photo fit remake...( read more), frequently taking the box office by storm whilst simultaneously relegating smaller independent projects to the now relatively unheard-of arthouse cinemas. The tragedy is that the independent filmmakers are often those with the most talent; the most creativity; the most flair. One such filmmaker is director Richard Kelly, who saw the release of his scifi-drama-horror-tragedy-comedy-romance-thriller Donnie Darko last year. After reading a few rave reviews for the movie, I decided to check it out to find out what all the fuss was about.

    Donnie is a seventeen year-old boy with major emotional problems. He suffers from a psychological condition not dissimilar to schizophrenia, and lives most of his life in a medication-induced daze. We watch as Donnie meets Frank, a six foot tall rabbit which predicts the end of the world. Returning to his house, Donnie finds a jet engine jutting out from the side of his bedroom. The remainder of the movie follows Donnie's coming to terms with the ghostly presence of Frank in his life, the purpose of his existence, and the fact that the world will end unless he intervenes.

    Without giving too much away, I can safely say that Donnie Darko is a mind-blowing experience. And I use the word `experience' in its truest sense. From the opening shots of Donnie's suburban hometown, through to the satirical take on Middle American high schools, the movie is incredibly involving on many levels. In fact, each frame speaks to us on more profound terms than the majority of arthouse films would claim to do. This is, in part, due to the impeccable performances by each and every member of the cast. Jake Gyllenhaal, a relative unknown, delivers a subtle yet emotionally charged performance as Donnie himself - the scene in which he tells his psychologist of his various childhood traumas is made both funny and moving by the haunting way in which Jake delivers each line, contrasted with the almost childish qualities of his movements on the couch. Most incredible of all, however, is his terrifying screen presence as he trudges slowly through a deserted corridor or along a dark street, head tilted slightly forward, face fixed in a confused, bewildered expression. Drew Barrymore is also superb as the liberal high school teacher rejected and scorned in a Conservative education system, while Patrick Swayze is excellent in his extended cameo, a smartly observed satire of a self-help guru with a few skeletons in the closet.

    Where the movie comes into its own, however, is in its ability to incorporate and deal with a variety of genres. Every movie genre seems to make an appearance, so much so that to categorise the movie as simply a `psychological horror' or a `supernatural thriller' would be an unforgivable insult. Even the movie's portrayal of a high school, whilst unique and original, even bears a slight resemblance to the teen movies of yesteryear, what with school bullies, the new kid in town and an annoying gym teacher. Yet, Kelly never lets his movie sink to the depths of clichéd teen drama. Instead, he paints a startlingly realistic portrait of suburban America, interspersed with flashes of sci-fi surreality. The movie never descends into total Lynchian weirdness, yet nothing ever seems quite real.

    Donnie Darko may conjure up images of oversized bunnies and watery projections protruding from people's midriffs, yet on an emotional level it is very much human. Donnie Darko is as much a drama as it is a thriller, and a superb character study at that. We are often led to question whether Donnie's visions and actions are the consequence of a paranoid, twisted, drug-polluted mind, or whether he really is experiencing such things. His gradual disillusionment as he realises that there is no hope and that he may have to go through eternity alone is beautifully portrayed, while the sense of peace and inner fulfilment he ultimately achieves is a truly inspirational message.

    Without meaning to sound overtly soppy and without meaning to spoil the ending for anyone unfortunate enough not to have seen the movie, Donnie Darko concludes in one of the most mind bending, emotionally affecting ways possible. On a scientific level it will fuel debates for years to come (I have already read numerous different interpretations of the ending on the internet) but emotionally it transcends the conventions of modern movie making. In fact, it soars. The last few minutes, where Tears For Fears' Mad World is played over shots of various characters breaking into fits of hyper-emotion or contemplating their actions, are tremendously moving, while the lyrics (`I find it kinda funny/I find it kinda sad/the dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had') perfectly summarise Donnie's state of mind. Furthermore, the last few lines of the movie, without telling you what they are, are meaningful on so many levels, and mark the end to a film steeped in emotion, surrealism and subtle beauty.

    I implore you to watch this movie. It most certainly is not for everyone, and will probably be cast off by a lot of the movie going public as pretentious, artsy nonsense. Donnie Darko only saw a very short, unsuccessful US run and was accompanied with very little hype. Hilarious, heart-rendingly sad, terrifying, profound, intellectually stimulating, emotionally absorbing and thematically relevant, this is by far the best movie of 2002. And for all those wishing to know if there's any American Pie-style crudity, sadly not - although at one point we are treated to a rather interesting discussion regarding the sex lives of smurfs.
  • Deano78
    May 24, 2009
    Deano78
    Finally got round to seeing this at last after hearing about it for ages. A very good film which isn't quite as weird and hard to follow as I thought it would be after hearing all the reviews of it. Hard to describe though, a film about choices and making changes and what happens...( read more) as a result. Deals with complex ideas but the end does help clear things up. Considering the year it was made a very well assembled cast.
  • TinaOtto
    November 22, 2009
    TinaOtto
    I found this very humorous, but i think that is just me....
  • cfrivera03
    November 22, 2009
    cfrivera03
    This guy reminded me of an ex boyfriend. Really good movie.
  • clubpenguinfan99
    November 22, 2009
    clubpenguinfan99
    havent seen it...........yet
  • tangerinesunshine
    November 21, 2009
    tangerinesunshine
    i had to watch this movie a few times before i finally got it.
  • mvk61
    November 21, 2009
    mvk61
    Strange movie. And for a stranger reason I liked this movie a lot, even though I didn't understand it completely!! The music was great!!

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Critic Reviews

October 26, 2001
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

This set-up and development is fascinating, the payoff less so. full review

View more Donnie Darko reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

  • Marilynstates
    March 6, 2009
    Marilynstates
    GREAT movie.
    It's happy, yet sad... in a way...


    I like thoughs type of movies LoL
    I can realte.
  • fizan54
    January 8, 2009
    fizan54
    hello beybi
  • babygirl26493
    July 7, 2008
    babygirl26493
    ilke your movie your in
  • shaybaby0021
    May 13, 2008
    shaybaby0021
    any new person i meet i make them watch this movie
  • hiphopgals95
    May 5, 2008
    hiphopgals95
    i loved it. i gave it 10 of 10
  • Megggyy
    February 16, 2008
    Megggyy
    I honestly need some help people!? I enjoy foreign films, ans suspenses, do you recommend? send me a message PLEASE!
  • mRzObAma
    February 5, 2008
    mRzObAma
    i dont lik dat movie at all its stupid and dumb
  • akamissy4ever
    December 24, 2007
    akamissy4ever
    what a crazy movie..kept me watching though..one of those what the heck is this,movies.
  • theheartstheif
    December 16, 2007
    theheartstheif
    one of the Best Movies I'v ever saw in my hole lifE....i saw ot 5 times and....I just can't stop watching it!!
  • SweetestDownfall
    October 23, 2007
    SweetestDownfall
    This film is my love. The end.
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Facts

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  • Fun Fact:
    This was Seth Rogen's feature film debut.
  • Fun Fact:
    "Donnie Darko" was voted #5 in Australia's list of 10 favorite movies.
  • DVD Easter Egg:
    How to find it:
    Click on Patrick Swayze's left eye in the Commentaries/Subtitles menu.
    What happens:
    It will lead you to a deleted scene. If you select the Frank head in the commentary of that scene, it leads to another.
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Donnie Darko Trivia

  • Which actor played the part of Donnie in Donnie Darko?  Answer »
  • What name do these all share? The name of the dog on Men In Black. Tom Cruise's name in Magnolia. The name of the bunny in Donnie Darko.  Answer »
  • What actor played Donnie's older sister in Donnie Darko?  Answer »
  • In "Donnie Darko" what goes after this dialogue "Why do you wear that stupid bunny suit"?  Answer »
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