Arthur Taxier, Beth Grant, Daveigh Chase, David St. James, Drew Barrymore ...( see more  see more... ) , Holmes Osborne , Jake Gyllenhaal , James Duval , Jena Malone , Maggie Gyllenhaal , Mary McDonnell , Noah Wyle , Patrick Swayze

A troubled teenager is plagued by visions of a large bunny rabbit that manipulates him to commit a series of crimes, after narrowly escaping a bizarre accident.

Flixster Users

77% liked it

29,532,807 ratings

Critics

84% liked it

98 critics

R, 1 hr. 53 min.

Directed by: Richard Kelly

Release Date: January 19, 2001

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DVD Release Date: March 19, 2002

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Stats: 861,782 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (861,782)


  • February 9, 2010
    Emotionally disturbed high school student Donnie Darko narrowly avoids death when a six foot rabbit called Frank lures him from his bedroom and tells him that the world is going to end in 28 days. Donnie Darko is one of those films that deeply divides its audience as it is most d...( read more)efinitely not for everyone, leaving much of what occurs open to the viewer's own interpretation. My own personal spin is that it is the anti-Capra; "It's A Miserable Life" if you will. Donnie is given a snapshot into the what the world would be like if he continued to be in it, and he doesn't like what he sees. A dark fantasy that makes Tim Burton's visions look like Mary Poppins, it's Back To The Future made by David Lynch. It was the film that catapulted an intense Jake Gillenhaal to stardom as well as revitalising the then flagging career of Drew Barrymore as one of the few free thinking figures in this book-censoring, self-help obsessed little community (not to mention managing the astonishing feat of making Tears For Fears cool). With many haunting images and a brilliantly oppressive soundtrack, Donnie Darko is not the kind of film that spoonfeeds you its concepts and anyone looking for a diagram explaining all and tying everthing up in a nice happy ending should look elsewhere. Donnie Darko is weird. That was a compliment.
  • December 13, 2009
    An extremely complex head trip with interesting visual and narrative metaphors. It almost demands repeat viewings, if not to put the pieces together then at least to see what the pieces are. The film is so muddled by twists and overlaps in the plot that the actual meaning behind ...( read more)them all never breaks through, although the story is entertaining enough even without an effective "eureka" moment. The characters are well-drawn and well-acted, and the direction and music set the perfect tone for the material.
  • August 26, 2009
    I liked Donnie Darko a lot. It's very original, intriguing and does not let you down, esp at the end. Its not as amazing as everyone says though, its turned into a victim of its own hype for me.
  • July 30, 2009
    What made this independent film such a surprise success, beyond the surprisingly many great names in the cast, is hard to say. Because this flick is certainly not easy to stomach: scary rabbit men, time travels, high school drama, teen angst movie, there is a lot going on here. T...( read more)he foreboding, dark atmosphere and Frank's countdown to the end of the world make for a pretty gloomy mood. Opposite to that are the colorful, beautifully filmed, almost video clip like scenes that include some interesting choices of music (Tears for fears, The Church) and make for some of the most unforgettable scenes of the film. To say much more than that about the plot would be spoiling for those unfortunate souls who have not seen this yet. As a whole the film feels really deep and smart, with meaning in almost each and every scene, and requires a few views to get all levels. How you react to the solution that is most definitely one of the bigger twists of recent cinema history everyone has to decide on their own. But no one should miss out on this odd, sad and beautiful masterpiece.
  • July 5, 2009
    Donnie Darko - great tribute to the 80's generation with songs and references to that era. Jake Gyllenhaal is superb as Donnie Darko, a depressed and delusional teen. I must also note that Drew Barrymore is great as his teacher; she always brightens up any movie she's in. This mo...( read more)vie is definitely a masterpiece, with its group of complex characters and the underlying plot of destiny and time travel woven in. I've re-watched it many times, because there are many angles to the story. Knowing what happens, it's good to re-watch, to see how all the events within the movie support the eventual conclusion. The Director's Cut of this film hilights some of the time travel theory more clearly, but I prefer the shorter Theatrical Cut without the clues revealed. Each viewing, I still feel for Donnie's choices at the end.

    Favorite Scene: Mad World song at the end and the montage of changed lives.
  • February 9, 2010
    Don't even know waht's about.
  • February 8, 2010
    I thought it was going to be scary, but it was still a really cool movie. Makes you think a lot.
  • February 8, 2010
    It was ok!
    ~Kyle NElson
    http://bit.ly/azhtDJ
  • February 8, 2010
    Ive watched it a million times and still dont understand it
  • February 8, 2010
    0 stars.
    I really could not STAND this film.

Critic Reviews


October 26, 2001
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

This set-up and development is fascinating, the payoff less so. full review

View more Donnie Darko reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • Marilynstates
    March 6, 2009
    GREAT movie.
    It's happy, yet sad... in a way...


    I like thoughs type of movies LoL
    I can realte.
  • fizan54
    January 8, 2009
    hello beybi
  • babygirl26493
    July 7, 2008
    ilke your movie your in
  • shaybaby0021
    May 13, 2008
    any new person i meet i make them watch this movie
  • hiphopgals95
    May 5, 2008
    i loved it. i gave it 10 of 10
  • Megggyy
    February 16, 2008
    I honestly need some help people!? I enjoy foreign films, ans suspenses, do you recommend? send me a message PLEASE!
  • mRzObAma
    February 5, 2008
    i dont lik dat movie at all its stupid and dumb
  • akamissy4ever
    December 24, 2007
    what a crazy movie..kept me watching though..one of those what the heck is this,movies.
  • theheartstheif
    December 16, 2007
    one of the Best Movies I'v ever saw in my hole lifE....i saw ot 5 times and....I just can't stop watching it!!
  • SweetestDownfall
    October 23, 2007
    This film is my love. The end.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts


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Donnie Darko Trivia


  • Which actor played the part of Donnie in Donnie Darko?  Answer »
  • What name do these all share? The name of the dog on Men In Black. Tom Cruise's name in Magnolia. The name of the bunny in Donnie Darko.  Answer »
  • What actor played Donnie's older sister in Donnie Darko?  Answer »
  • In "Donnie Darko" what goes after this dialogue "Why do you wear that stupid bunny suit"?  Answer »

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