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Donnie Darko (2001)

R | | Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller | 26 October 2001 (USA)
Donnie Darko Poster
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1:37 | Trailer

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A troubled teenager is plagued by visions of a man in a large rabbit suit who manipulates him to commit a series of crimes, after he narrowly escapes a bizarre accident.

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Stars:

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Top Rated Movies #224 | 11 wins & 15 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Donnie Darko
... Eddie Darko
... Elizabeth Darko
... Samantha Darko
... Rose Darko
... Frank
... Dr. Fisher
... Jim Cunningham
Mark Hoffman ... Police Officer
... Bob Garland
Tom Tangen ... Man in Red Jogging Suit
... Joanie James
... Cherita Chen
... Ronald Fisher
... Sean Smith
See full cast »
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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

Plot Keywords:

surrealism | schizophrenia | parallel universe | rabbit suit | insanity | See All (308) »

Taglines:

Life is one long insane trip. Some people just have better directions. See more »

Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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:

Official site | Official site [Spain]

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

26 October 2001 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

, ,  »
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Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Writer and Director Richard Kelly came up with the idea for the future blobs while watching football. John Madden used to use a "telestrator", where he'd diagram a paused video to show where the players were about to go moments before letting the tape roll. Kelly watched this while high, and started to think about what would happen, hypothetically, if "someone upstairs" was doing that to humans. Fittingly enough, Donnie first notices the future blobs while watching football. See more »

Goofs

The movie is set in Middlesex, VA, meaning that cars should have Virginia license plates. There are several cars that have California license plates instead. 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 Fight Club (1999) See more »

Soundtracks

Voices Carry
(uncredited)
Lyrics by Aimee Mann
Music by Til Tuesday
Performed by Til Tuesday
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Donnie smiling at the beginning of the film, when he wakes up?
Q: What does Donnie mumble when he has the knife held to his throat?
Q: Why is Donnie laughing at the end and why doesn't he get out of bed?
See more »

User Reviews

 
You can't watch it only once
2 March 2004 | by – See all my reviews

I first saw this on cable tv. Thumbing through the channels I stopped just as Donnie Darko was beginning. I thought the title was weird, and readied my thumb on the remote channel selector...pointed it at the TV...and it stayed there for the rest of the movie! I couldn't stop watching! I've never seen a movie like this. The movie has a beautiful aspect (especially the end). And there are a few chuckles as well. Contrary to the more critical commentary, there is depth and complexity to the story that kind of requires you to see it more than once. I'm no genius, but what I gathered the basis of Donnie Darko to be is about our part in the deliberate DESIGN of our destiny, and I catch more each time I watch it.

Regardless of anything, sincere thought and expression went in to the making of Donnie Darko. Mixed with skill and technical ability = Art.

A WORK OF ART! In the top 100 movies of all time in my opinion.
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