Donnie Darko

2001 • 113 minutes

About this movie

Fifteen years before Stranger Things combined science-fiction, Spielberg-ian touches and '80s nostalgia to much acclaim, Richard Kelly set the template – and the high-water mark – with his debut feature, Donnie Darko. Initially beset with distribution problems, it would slowly find its audience and emerge as arguably the first cult classic of the new millennium. Donnie is a troubled high school student: in therapy, prone to sleepwalking and in possession of an imaginary friend, a six-foot rabbit named Frank, who tells him the world is going to end in 28 days 06 hours 42 minutes and 12 seconds. During that time he will navigate teenage life, narrowly avoid death in the form of a falling jet engine, follow Frank's maladjusted instructions and try to maintain the space-time continuum. Described by its director as "The Catcher in the Rye as told by Philip K. Dick", Donnie Darko combines an eye-catching, eclectic cast – pre-stardom Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal, heartthrob Patrick Swayze, former child star Drew Barrymore, Oscar nominees Mary McDonnell and Katherine Ross, and television favourite Noah Wyle – and an evocative soundtrack of '80s classics by Echo and the Bunnymen, Tears for Fears and Duran Duran. This brand-new 4K restoration, carried out exclusively for this release by Arrow Films, allows a modern classic to finally receive the home video treatment it deserves. 2016 Arrow Films

Ratings and reviews

This story is set in the late 80's, however the overall effort seems a bit off, like a style-quilt of some Gen-X music and couture, ample Gen-Y expression and sentiment, woven with Millennial dialog and presence. All of which is fine, but referring the movie description, I found those bobbles more distracting. When any story has those drag-moments, I squint and wonder on whether the story teller is trying to say something meaningful or relevant. In the case of Donnie Darko, there are multiple moments to choose from, and would argue that half are yes, and others deserve a no. The story plot was ordered nicely, and the story itself was Interesting enough to rent, which is what I should have done instead of purchasing.

This is what you hope for each time you watch a movie. I was blown away at how much you felt for the characters. The story was so well written you felt transported into the film. I don't usually come back for seconds on movies but I have seen it a dozen times or more. JUST WOW, THANK YOU.

You'll watch it a few times and realize slowly that the reason why you love it so much is because we've all wondered if our destiny is truly ours to decide. Donnie Darko is very cerebral but leaves you an emotional mess, but it's sure NOT to disappoint. Character development is so well done, and the thing between Cherita and Donnie would make anyone feel something. Powerful movie.