Donnie Darko

Why are you wearing that stupid man suit?

Goodbye to comments under me. This movie is one of the best, compelling and interesting movies that has ever been made. Maybe it's just because I can relate to it, but this shit man......

Gretchen Ross: You're weird.
Donnie Darko: Sorry.
Gretchen Ross: No, that was a compliment.

me: this is a masterpiece
also me: has to google "what is donnie darko about"

Absolutely one of the best movies I've seen this year! It somehow managed to be confusing, compelling and conclusive at the same time, and I for one will have a hard time forgetting the bunny. If you have an extra two hours, you should absolutely watch this movie!

Not many movies could engage me as much as Donnie Darko did, but it has. I've watched this movie many times and I love watching it every time. It's definitely an experience I'll remember for the rest of my life, as it helped me open my eyes to a lot of things. Definitely recommended. Finally, don't watch the sequel, it's bloody awful.

One of my favorite movies and absolutely brilliant. Richard Kelly created a masterpiece of confusion and one of the best endings ever with the mad world song montage.

Donnie 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.

There are two ways to approach this movie:

1. Watch the Theatrical Cut, preferably more than once. Try to puzzle it out for yourself. Accept that you'll never fully understand it. Donnie Darko is a weird, imperfect, surreal movie, but if you give it a chance, you just might love it.

2. Watch the Director's Cut and the DVD commentary. Look up explanations online (which for the most part, have no basis in the original film). Have all the ambiguity explained away for you. Donnie Darko is a sci-fi movie with arbitrary rules, where boxes need to be checked to fulfill certain requirements.

I know which one I prefer.