Donnie Darko
8.088%80%7.8
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.
- C Clenton1d agoMy favorite movie. It’s the kind of film you watch multiple times and it just gets better as you notice more details.
- Ravi OliveiraOctober 2, 2026Synopsis: Donnie is an eccentric young man who holds most of his schoolmates in contempt. He experiences visions specifically of Frank, a giant rabbit only he can see who encourages him to play humiliating pranks on those around him. Review: “Donnie Darko,” written and directed by Richard Kelly in his directorial debut, builds its identity by blending strangeness, melancholy, and science fiction. The narrative follows Donnie, a troubled teenager who begins seeing a figure in a rabbit costume and starts questioning reality itself. The story does not provide immediate answers, preferring instead to scatter clues throughout the narrative. While this choice can make certain moments difficult to interpret, it also ensures the film maintains a constant sense of mystery. Atmosphere is one of the production's strongest elements. Kelly creates a dark, melancholic setting that perfectly complements Donnie’s turbulent adolescence and the sense of unease surrounding the events. The cinematography, suburban settings, and sequence construction make the world feel familiar yet slightly detached from reality. There is a lingering sense that something is amiss, even in the most ordinary scenes a quality that significantly bolsters the film's mood. The soundtrack also plays a vital role in this construction. The selection of 80s music—featuring artists like Tears for Fears, Echo & the Bunnymen, and Joy Division—serves as more than just background noise; it helps establish the era and the emotional tone of the scenes. Certain songs are used to striking effect, forging a connection between Donnie’s experiences and his surroundings. The combination of these tracks and Kelly’s atmospheric direction imbues seemingly simple moments with a unique resonance. Jake Gyllenhaal delivers a performance that anchors much of the film. Donnie is a challenging character to balance, as he must simultaneously convey the vulnerability of an alienated teenager, the tender side of someone falling in love, and an intensity that can turn unsettling. Gyllenhaal manages to shift between these states without turning the character into a caricature, keeping Donnie unpredictable yet recognizable as a young man trying to make sense of what is happening to him. It is a performance that gains strength precisely because it does not rely on a single defining trait. The blend of science fiction and coming-of-age drama is also one of the film's most interesting choices. The story employs concepts such as time travel, parallel universes, and destiny, yet it remains grounded in deeply human themes regarding family, school, relationships, and the transition from adolescence to adulthood. These two aspects do not exist in isolation; the sci-fi elements directly influence how Donnie perceives his own life. It is an ambitious combination for a debut feature, lending the film a truly distinctive identity. “Donnie Darko” remains an experience defined by its atmosphere, its ideas, and the persistent sense that something lies hidden beneath every event. Not all the narrative pieces fit together easily, and for this very reason, the film demands more attention than a conventional teen drama. Richard Kelly’s direction, the striking soundtrack, and Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance give the production character, ensuring its oddness feels intentional. It is precisely in this blend of science fiction, adolescence, and mystery that the film finds its identity.
- GarfieldloverSeptember 10, 2026Literally the best movie I’ve ever seen, this happened to me one time.
- SpoonsOctober 22, 2024Donnie Darko is a film that has stood the test of time, not just for its dark, surreal atmosphere, but for its complex narrative that blends metaphysics, philosophy, and deep character study. At the center of it all is Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal), a troubled teenager who, over the course of the film, transforms into either a hero on a grand cosmic mission or, depending on how you view it, a messianic figure destined for sacrifice. Donnie’s journey is not just about time travel and alternate universes; it's about his role as someone who sees the world differently—someone burdened with a truth no one else understands. You could almost argue that Donnie is a Jesus-like figure, facing inevitable doom to save others, though in a much more cryptic and chaotic way. His visions, particularly of Frank the rabbit, guide him toward decisions that feel predestined, as if Donnie is carrying the weight of fate on his shoulders. Patrick Swayze’s portrayal of Jim Cunningham, a motivational speaker with a dark secret, is unforgettable. It’s a departure from his usual roles, leaving a lasting impression long after the movie ends. His performance adds a disturbing yet oddly charismatic element to the film, making it one of his most unique and haunting roles. Even as you focus on Donnie's philosophical battle with existence, Swayze’s character lingers like a shadow over the narrative, injecting an eerie sense of the corrupted underbelly of suburban life. The exploration of metaphysics and philosophy throughout the film feels like a crash course in existentialism. The film never spells everything out for you, leaving questions about the nature of reality, free will, and destiny swirling in your mind long after the credits roll. Richard Kelly’s direction doesn’t hold your hand; instead, he presents a puzzle that encourages viewers to make their own conclusions about whether Donnie was truly saving the world or simply playing his part in a much larger cosmic plan. This film will be popular with people who like The Butterfly Effect, Fight Club, and A Scanner Darkly.
- buford fernsbyApril 15, 2025Might be my favorite movie ever. Jake Gyllenhaal just looks creepy af, makes me want to hurt him every time he's on screen because I feel like I have to stop him before he does something. Top 3 concepts for me.
- Jackson MitchelSeptember 4, 2026I absolutely Love the vibe
- John HickeyMarch 21, 2025If I could give 100 stars this is one of the movies I would give the rating too. Donnie Darko is one of my all time favorite movies and I watch it a couple of times each year. I love to watch with someone who has never seen it before and to see rheir reactions.. Also, one of the best movie soundtracks with every song fitting perfectly into each scene.
- Tarek KabbaniAugust 23, 2026Brilliant
- james.ba60August 4, 2025my friend watched it and got scared
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Donnie Darko was released on January 19, 2001.
Donnie Darko was directed by Richard Kelly.
Donnie Darko has a runtime of 1h 53m.
Donnie Darko was produced by Nancy Fallon, Adam Fields, Sean McKittrick.
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.
The key characters in Donnie Darko are Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal), Gretchen Ross (Jena Malone), Frank (James Duval).
Donnie Darko is rated R.
Donnie Darko is a Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller film.
Donnie Darko has an audience rating of 8 out of 10.
Donnie Darko had a budget of $4.5M.
Donnie Darko has made $7.5M at the box office.