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Donnie Darko

  • 20012001
  • AAAA
  • 1h 53min
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
762K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
519
18
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Donnie Darko (2001)
Trailer for Donnie Darko: 15th Anniversary
Play trailer1:37
5 Videos
99+ Photos
DramaMysterySci-Fi

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

IMDb RATING
8.0/10
762K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
519
18
  • Director
    • Richard Kelly
  • Writer
    • Richard Kelly
  • Stars
    • Jake Gyllenhaal
    • Jena Malone
    • Mary McDonnell
Top credits
  • Director
    • Richard Kelly
  • Writer
    • Richard Kelly
  • Stars
    • Jake Gyllenhaal
    • Jena Malone
    • Mary McDonnell
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 2.3KUser reviews
    • 382Critic reviews
    • 88Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 12 wins & 16 nominations

    Videos5

    Donnie Darko: 15th Anniversary
    Trailer 1:37
    Donnie Darko: 15th Anniversary
    Donnie Darko
    Trailer 1:02
    Donnie Darko
    Donnie Darko: 15th Anniversary
    Clip 0:52
    Donnie Darko: 15th Anniversary
    Roles That Mark Wahlberg Turned Down
    Video 2:00
    Roles That Mark Wahlberg Turned Down
    Dates in Movie & TV History: Oct. 2, 1988 - Donnie Darko Meets Frank
    Video 2:30
    Dates in Movie & TV History: Oct. 2, 1988 - Donnie Darko Meets Frank

    Photos139

    Patience Cleveland in Donnie Darko (2001)
    Jake Gyllenhaal in Donnie Darko (2001)
    Donnie Darko (2001)
    Jake Gyllenhaal in Donnie Darko (2001)
    Jake Gyllenhaal and Jena Malone in Donnie Darko (2001)
    Jake Gyllenhaal in Donnie Darko (2001)
    Drew Barrymore and Beth Grant in Donnie Darko (2001)
    Jake Gyllenhaal and Jena Malone in Donnie Darko (2001)
    Drew Barrymore and Noah Wyle in Donnie Darko (2001)
    Drew Barrymore in Donnie Darko (2001)
    Jena Malone in Donnie Darko (2001)
    Patrick Swayze in Donnie Darko (2001)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jake Gyllenhaal
    Jake Gyllenhaal
    • Donnie Darkoas Donnie Darko
    Jena Malone
    Jena Malone
    • Gretchen Rossas Gretchen Ross
    Mary McDonnell
    Mary McDonnell
    • Rose Darkoas Rose Darko
    Holmes Osborne
    Holmes Osborne
    • Eddie Darkoas Eddie Darko
    Maggie Gyllenhaal
    Maggie Gyllenhaal
    • Elizabeth Darkoas Elizabeth Darko
    Daveigh Chase
    Daveigh Chase
    • Samantha Darkoas Samantha Darko
    James Duval
    James Duval
    • Frankas Frank
    Arthur Taxier
    Arthur Taxier
    • Dr. Fisheras Dr. Fisher
    Patrick Swayze
    Patrick Swayze
    • Jim Cunninghamas Jim Cunningham
    Mark Hoffman
    • Police Officeras Police Officer
    David St. James
    David St. James
    • Bob Garlandas Bob Garland
    Tom Tangen
    • Man in Red Jogging Suitas Man in Red Jogging Suit
    Jazzie Mahannah
    Jazzie Mahannah
    • Joanie Jamesas Joanie James
    Jolene Purdy
    Jolene Purdy
    • Cherita Chenas Cherita Chen
    Stuart Stone
    Stuart Stone
    • Ronald Fisheras Ronald Fisher
    Gary Lundy
    Gary Lundy
    • Sean Smithas Sean Smith
    Alex Greenwald
    Alex Greenwald
    • Seth Devlinas Seth Devlin
    Beth Grant
    Beth Grant
    • Kitty Farmeras Kitty Farmer
    • Director
      • Richard Kelly
    • Writer
      • Richard Kelly
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —J. Spurlin
    surrealismmental illnesscult filmcult classicimaginary friend302 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Life is one long insane trip. Some people just have better directions.
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Mystery
      • Sci-Fi
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • AA
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      At the wrap party for the film, Seth Rogen and Jake Gyllenhaal agreed that they had no idea what the movie was about.
    • 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 the dad's head.
    • Quotes

      Donnie: Why are you wearing that stupid bunny suit?

      Frank: Why are you wearing that stupid man suit?

    • Crazy credits
      "Proud to Be Loud" Performed by The Dead Green Mummies -- this song is actually performed by the band Pantera. (The Dead Green Mummies do not exist.) Pantera has all but disowned their first four albums, this song is track 5 on the fourth of those albums, "Power Metal." The band presumably did not want to be credited with the song (as they don't consider any of their pre-1990 material part of their discography) and made up the name The Dead Green Mummies.
    • Alternate versions
      Changes from the original in the Director's Cut:
      • 2 mins: As Donnie Rides into town the music has changed from Echo and the Bunnymen's The Killing Moon to INXS's Never Tear Us Apart.
      • 6 mins: Before Donnie's mother enters his room after dinner she has a short discussion with Elizabeth, asking how she knew Donnie has stopped taking his medication.
      • 9 mins: As Donnie is awakened by Frank's voice we see a close up of his eye opening with Frank reflected in his iris. Also the sequence as he leaves the house is extended slightly.
      • 16 mins: As Donnie, Samantha and Elizabeth sit in the hotel room Samantha tries to think of ways to make money from the accident, and Donnie tells her when she falls asleep he's going to "fart in your face."
      • 17 mins: As Donnie's parents discuss Frankie Feedler the scene is slightly extended, Donnie's dad thinks someone was watching over him.
      • 23 mins: As Gretchen Ross makes her first appearance in the classroom more reactions can be heard from the classmates.
      • 24 mins: As Donnie and his dad drive, just before nearly hitting Grandma Death, they flick back and forth between radio stations, Donnie wins and music now plays throughout the scene.
      • 28 mins: Frank's voice can now be heard during the Cunning Visions video, telling Donnie to watch closely.
      • 29 mins: Another shot of Donnie's eye opening as Frank awakens him before he floods the school, water is seen reflected in his eye this time.
      • 30 mins: While waiting at the bus stop, before they hear school is canceled, Donnie steals Samantha's poem and torments her. Donnie's friends also have another opportunity to bully Sharita Chen, calling her Porky Pig, and saying "I hope you get molested."
      • 31 mins: More rumors fly around as to why school is closed.
      • 33 mins: As Donnie walks home with Gretchen he mentions how he wants to be able to "change things."
      • 37 mins: As the police check the student's handwriting we see Donnie looking nervous, and Karen Pomeroy noticing it. This also fixes the continuity as all the previous names on the list are called before Donnie.
      • 41 mins: Newscast. Before the emergency PTA meeting Mrs. Farmer and Karen Pomeroy exchange words about Mrs. Farmer's intentions to get The Destructors banned.
      • 44 mins: Donnie's English class have a poetry day, where Donnie reads a poem about himself and Frank. "A storm is coming, Frank says a storm that will swallow the children and I will deliver them from the kingdom of pain I will deliver the children back the their doorsteps And send the monsters back to the underground I'll send them back to a place where no-one else can see them Except for me Because I am Donnie Darko" Karen Pomeroy then asks him who Frank is, Donnie tells her he's a six foot bunny rabbit, and everyone laughs at him.
      • 53 mins: We see the first of the excerpts from The Philosophy of Time Travel, concerning the tangent universe.
      • 59 mins: We see Donnie waiting for the school bus a plane flies overhead and everyone looks up nervously, then the second excerpt from The Philosophy of Time Travel appears, Chapter 2, Water and Metal. Behind this transition there is a short new scene where Donnie sits down next to Gretchen and she asks him why he has blood on his neck.
      • 61 mins: We see Donnie's parents out for dinner, discussing what they should do about disciplining him after the incident with Mrs. Farmer. Their opinions are wildly different, and they joke about getting divorced.
      • 62 mins: Whilst the parents are out to dinner we see that Donnie and Elizabeth have been sitting at home carving the pumpkins seen later in the film.
      • 64 mins: Another shot of Donnie's eye opening, along with footage of waves breaking on a beach.
      • 65 mins: We see Donnie and Gretchen in an arcade, the scene is overlaid by chapter 7 from the book, The Manipulated Living.
      • 66 mins: As Donnie watches Jim Cunningham's seminar at the school his perception changes, he sees things sped up, and mentions to Gretchen that he is travelling through time. The seminar now goes on longer, with extra scenes before Donnie steps up to the mic.
      • 71 mins: Donnie and Gretchen go to visit Roberta Sparrow, there is nobody home but Donnie checks her mailbox and is inspired to write to her. This scene is overlaid with chapter 4 from the book, the Artifact of the Living.
      • 74 mins: Karen Pomeroy tells the class they are no longer allowed to study The Destructors, and that their new book will be Watership Down, however if any student wants a copy of Graham Greene's book someone has put 20 copies aside at the Sarasota Mall.
      • 75 mins: Another overlay from The Philosophy of Time Travel, this time chapter 6, the Living Receiver.
      • 81 mins: Another eye opening shot, this time with flames reflected in it.
      • 87 mins: Another overlay, chapter 10, the Manipulated Dead.
      • 88 mins: Donnie returns home the morning after the fire and talks to his dad in the garden. His dad tells him that no matter how crazy he thinks he is, he should always say what's on his mind.
      • 90 mins: As we see Jim Cunningham arrested on TV the voiceover on the TV is slightly different.
      • 91 mins: Karen Pomeroy's firing is slightly shortened.
      • 92 mins: Karen gives one of her last classes, after the students watch a section of Watership Down they discuss Fiver (the rabbit)'s visions, and how trusting those visions of the end of the world would save the warren. Gretchen and Donnie argue in the class about the meaning of them. Donnie doesn't see the point of crying over a dead rabbit, Gretchen tells Donnie he missed the point, and Karen Pomeroy tells the class that the Deus Ex Machina is what saved the rabbits.
      • 97 mins: Donnie says goodbye to his mom in the street as she goes to LA with Sparkle Motion.
      • 98 mins: As Karen clears out her desk, her talk with Donnie is different, she suggests on a Friday night Donnie should be out scaring old people.
      • 103 mins: Donnie talks with his doctor about his belief in God, and she tells him he can stop taking his medication as they are placebos.
      • 106 mins: There is an overlay of Chapter 9, the Ensurance Trap.
      • 110 mins: As Donnie walks around the party, observing people's channels, there is another montage of his eye, as if he were putting all the clues together that lead him to thinking he should go to Grandma Death's house.
      • 114 mins: As Donnie is pinned down with the knife to his throat outside Grandma Death's house, it is now very clear he is saying Deus Ex Machina.
      • 116 mins: Roberta Sparrow tells Donnie a storm is coming, and that he must hurry.
      • 118 mins: We see a montage of things reflected in Donnie's eye as Frank counts down to the end of the world.
      • 120 mins: Another montage as we see the universe collapsing and rewinding as Donnie travels back through time.
      • 123 mins: The final overlay is of chapter 12, Dreams, which explains why everyone seems to be having a sleepless night as Mad World plays.
    • Connections
      Edited into The Phoenix Portal (2005)
    • Soundtracks
      The Killing Moon
      Written by Will Sergeant, Ian McCulloch, Les Pattinson and Pete DeFreitas (as Pete De Freitas)

      Performed by Echo & The Bunnymen

      Courtesy of Sire Records/Warner Music U.K. Ltd.

      By arrangement with Warner Special Products

    User reviews2.3K

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Nothing more than tricks... but, god, how they work.
    Sweets. They are not nourishing, but they're delicious.

    This is how I feel about this film. If I make a conscious attempt at explaining why I like "Donnie Darko", I can see no real meat in it. I got no lessons from the flick, I hardly got a story... Forget what others say about this movie as "philosophical", "clever" or "trascendent". It's not. But, my!, how such a young director almost manages to make you believe it is... I don't know about you, but I call that talent.

    Yes, the movie is empty. The story goes nowhere, there is no message, no moral, but the way it's all wrapped up keeps you salivating throughout. Don't think it's mere flashy fireworks, though. This is not a case of style over substance. It's something more complex, and that's where "Donnie Darko" distances from the rest. This movie is freaking special, is full of personality. I wish more films had this character. The charm of this film relies on a lot of pieces that fit like a giant puzzle:

    -Chosen time (1988) is strangely proper (you'll have to see this movie to understand it, sorry).

    -The movie is BLUE. Its photography is blue, its characters are blue, its story is blue. Everything is blue.

    -Music is great.

    -Emotions are overwhelming. They come from everywhere and at the same time. You don't know what's happening, but what might be happening actually affects you.

    -I can see some Lynch influences. The scene where the gym teacher talks to Donnie's mother at the doorstep is 100% Lynch.

    -Some scenes are, almost, scary.

    -This is one of the movies that present the idea of "beyond" in a most seductive way. You feel there's something more than this world. It never gets explained, but heck, I don't care.

    -Finally, and most important, the main appeal of the movie is that it throws together unrelated concepts in such a way that they feel ghostly linked. The movie is a melting pot of vague ideas, that, thanks to a great direction, get connected in the subconscious.

    Exactly because of this, I understand this movie has so much appeal for some people, and so little for others. If you fall in the trap, it will touch you, and this movie could mean the world to you. If you don't, it won't, and you won't see more than a bag of tricks. Whatever the category you fall in, you have to recognize the skill of Richard Kelly. The execution of "Donnie Darko" is more than remarkable.

    I like to think of "Donnie Darko" not as a movie, but as a niche some people feel comfortably unsafe inside, that people being 25-30 year olds with an affection for sci-fi and darkness. The more you fit in this role, the more you'll get into this.

    RATING: 8.3
    helpful•59
    39
    • Patuquitos
    • Feb 8, 2005

    FAQ36

    • How do I understand this movie?
    • Should I watch the original version or Director's Cut? What are the differences?
    • Why is Donnie smiling at the beginning of the film, when he wakes up?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 19, 2001 (Mexico)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official site
      • Official site [Spain]
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut
    • Filming locations
      • Country Club Drive, Long Beach, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Pandora Cinema
      • Flower Films (II)
      • Adam Fields Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $6,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,478,493
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $110,494
      • Oct 28, 2001
    • Gross worldwide
      • $6,981,586
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 53min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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