8.1/10
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Donnie Darko (2001)

R | | Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller | 26 October 2001 (USA)
Donnie Darko Poster
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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.

Director:

Richard Kelly

Writer:

Richard Kelly

Stars:

Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Mary McDonnell | See full cast & crew »
88
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Popularity
515 ( 71)
Top Rated Movies #228 | 11 wins & 15 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jake Gyllenhaal ... Donnie Darko
Holmes Osborne ... Eddie Darko
Maggie Gyllenhaal ... Elizabeth Darko
Daveigh Chase ... Samantha Darko
Mary McDonnell ... Rose Darko
James Duval ... Frank
Arthur Taxier ... Dr. Fisher
Patrick Swayze ... Jim Cunningham
Mark Hoffman Mark Hoffman ... Police Officer
David St. James ... Bob Garland
Tom Tangen Tom Tangen ... Man in Red Jogging Suit
Jazzie Mahannah ... Joanie James
Jolene Purdy ... Cherita Chen
Stuart Stone ... Ronald Fisher
Gary Lundy ... Sean Smith
See full cast »
Edit

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 | time travel | schizophrenia | parallel universe | reference to an anus | See All (314) »

Taglines:

Why are you wearing that stupid man suit? 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:

View content advisory »
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Details

Official Sites:

Official site | Official site [Spain]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 October 2001 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut See more »

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pandora Cinema, Flower Films (II), Adam Fields Productions See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Frank says the world will end in "twenty-eight days, six hours, forty-two minutes, twelve seconds." That figure comes from adding or subtracting one from each part of the figure, twenty-seven days, seven hours, forty-three minutes, eleven seconds, which is the precise length of one lunar month (by one of the less-used definitions, sidereal instead of the usual synodic). See more »

Goofs

The unmarried Jim Cunningham wears a wedding band throughout the film. According to Richard Kelly, this is an element of his untrustworthy and mysterious nature. 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 »

Alternate Versions

The director's cut features many small changes with the sound, when compared to the original:
  • Some scenes have different or no music.
  • Some scenes have added sound effects.
  • Sometimes the music is quieter than it was in the original, allowing us to hear the people talking better
  • Some speech is either added/removed
  • There is now an "electronic buzzing" sound whenever Frank appears
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Honest Game Trailers: Gears of War (2015) See more »

Soundtracks

For Whom the Bell Tolls
Written by Stephen Baker (as Steve Baker) and Carmen Daye
Courtesy of Associated Production Music LLC
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Donnie smiling at the beginning of the film, when he wakes up?
Q: What happened to Gretchen's mother at the end of the film?
Q: Who are the "they" as referred to in the letter on the website?
See more »

User Reviews

 
Perhaps the most relevant social commentary on U.S society ever put on screen.
16 December 2013 | by gogoschka-1 – See all my reviews

Above all, this film has a kind of flow to it like nothing I've ever experienced in any other film before. The magic sets in from the very first moment, when we see Donnie waking up (and the song 'The Demon Moon' starts), and you just go with that flow and let yourself be drawn into that world. The story unfolds like a dream and the ambiguity (at least in the theatrical cut) as well as the fantastic songs help create an absolutely unique and strangely compelling atmosphere.

Fantastic script and fantastic performances: this film has a richness in its characters that amazes me every time I watch it. Forget the director's cut - here for once the theatrical version is the masterpiece. Probably the best social commentary on American society I've ever seen but beautifully woven into an ambiguous, slightly surreal fantasy tale with a haunting soundtrack.

My vote: 10 out of 10

Favorite films: http://www.IMDb.com/list/mkjOKvqlSBs/

Lesser-known Masterpieces: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls070242495/

Favorite Low-Budget and B-Movies: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls054808375/

Favorite TV-Shows reviewed: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls075552387/
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