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Donnie Darko (2001)

8.1
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Ratings: 8.1/10 from 366,445 users   Metascore: 71/100
Reviews: 2,006 user | 270 critic | 21 from Metacritic.com

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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Title: Donnie Darko (2001)

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Top 250 #178 | 11 wins & 12 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Arthur Taxier ...
Dr. Fisher
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Mark Hoffman ...
Police Officer
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Bob Garland
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Man in Red Jogging Suit
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Joanie James
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Storyline

Donnie Darko doesn't get along too well with his family, his teachers and his classmates; but he does manage to find a sympathetic friend in Gretchen, who agrees to date him. He has a compassionate psychiatrist, who discovers hypnosis is the means to unlock hidden secrets. His other companion may not be a true ally. Donnie has a friend named Frank - a large bunny which only Donnie can see. When an engine falls off a plane and destroys his bedroom, Donnie is not there. Both the event, and Donnie's escape, seem to have been caused by supernatural events. Donnie's mental illness, if such it is, may never allow him to find out for sure. Written by J. Spurlin

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

You can never go too far. See more »

Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some drug use and violence | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

30 January 2002 (France)  »

Also Known As:

Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$4,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£191,348 (UK) (25 October 2002)

Gross:

$727,883 (USA) (1 October 2004)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

When casting for the role of Donnie's sister, it came to Richard Kelly's attention that Maggie Gyllenhaal (who had few film credits at the time) would be available for the shoot. The agent who proposed her casting reminded Kelly of her scene in Cecil B. DeMented, where she drank urine. Though Kelly was slightly hesitant towards the idea, he did like the way she drank urine - and knew he wouldn't have to work hard at creating a sibling rivalry between her and her brother, star Jake Gyllenhaal. See more »

Goofs

When Donnie and his dad are talking in the car - just before they almost run grandma death over - a clapperboard is reflected in the window behind Donnie's dad's head. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Elizabeth: I'm voting for Dukakis.
See more »

Crazy Credits

After the closing credits, on the director's cut, there is the title of the movie followed by a drawing of Frank. See more »

Connections

References The Little Mermaid (1989) See more »

Soundtracks

"Stay"
Written by Danny Elfman
Performed by Oingo Boingo
Courtesy of MCA Records
Under license from UNIVERSAL MUSIC ENTERPRISES
(Director's Cut Only)
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Great movie
9 January 2005 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

Donnie Darko was a great and thought provoking movie. Most people will probably not understand the movie the first time they watch it, because they don't know what to watch for, but the 2nd time you watch the movie most will consider it a great and profound movie. Another way to understand Donnie Darko is to have someone that has already seen the movie to watch it with you and tell you which parts of the movie to remember towards the end of the movie. This is not a movie to watch if one does not like to think during movies. Donnie Darko is also not a movie for the lazy movie watcher to watch. I normally like the easy brained movies that require no thought-process but this is one thought provoking movie that I give a 10 out of 10.


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Plot explained without any knowledge outside of the movie jt-294
First film i rated with just 1 star assasin2005-334-852107
Any other movies like this? masterofgreekmythology
maggie gyllenhaal is super hot in this movie chrispaulgeorgekarlmalone
Theatrical or Director's Cut? therealaragorn
The film just CAN'T work! davidmsaunders
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