Donnie Darko

Name: Donnie Darko
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama, Mystery
Released: October 26, 2001
Duration: 113 min
Rating: 71
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mary McDonnell

2001

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 461 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 461 Ratings

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Donnie Darko

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Movie Details & Credits

Newmarket Films | Release Date: October 26, 2001 | R

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mary McDonnell

Summary: A genre-busting fable that blasts the American suburban drama into a wildly imaginative realm of time travel, alternative universes and the manipulation of one's fate. (IFC Films)

Director: Richard Kelly

Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Drama, Mystery

Rating: R

Runtime: 113 min

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Critic Reviews

100

New Times (L.A.) Jean Oppenheimer

Like gathering storm clouds, Donnie Darko creates an atmosphere of eerie calm and mounting menace -- stands as one of the most exceptional movies of 2001. Read full review

Joe Donnelly

It is funny, sad and beautiful. And it's right on time. Read full review

Maitland McDonagh

David Lynch lite. Read full review

Lou Lumenick

Most experienced filmmakers wouldn't even attempt a film that's so blackly funny, that so rapidly shifts genres and tone, and that layers late '80s cultural references so thickly, from "E.T." to Smurfs. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

Has plenty of problems. But most stem from a young filmmaker overswinging on his first time up to the plate and hitting a deep fly out rather than a home run. Read full review

Loren King

The debut feature from 26-year-old director Richard Kelly shows plenty of promise, but it's somewhat self-involved and won't appeal to audiences who like a straightforward -- even if fantastical -- narrative.

Michael Wilmington

Just another self-absorbed teen chronicle, with the added twist of a little time travel and a surprise ending. Read full review

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User Reviews

alejandro970

Nov 6, 2016

An amazing experience and schizophrenic with some taste to 80s nostalgia, with clever twists and unexpected ending. Good choice for a cold evening of friday.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Robwinz

Jun 28, 2020

Donnie Darko is **** amazing, the movie's got a bloody brilliant plot with an outstandingly great cast and all of the characters are very well developed throughout this movie, especially Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal). Also, the movie's got some great visuals when Fred is shown in this greatDonnie Darko is **** amazing, the movie's got a bloody brilliant plot with an outstandingly great cast and all of the characters are very well developed throughout this movie, especially Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal). Also, the movie's got some great visuals when Fred is shown in this great movie and they build up to him quite well which I really liked and I really liked the design of him to being quite a creepy and cursed sort of broken rabbit. Finally, the romance in this movie worked very well and the ending which this movie had was insane. Overall, it's a brilliant movie which I really should have watched sooner but yeah, it's honestly worth the watch.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

jfrotylpe532

Dec 2, 2012

A mixture of horror, drama, psychological thriller, comedy,and brief action make this a must see movie especially with movie stars that are randomly famous appearing here and there.
A+

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

Beckham67

Jan 2, 2014

A great movie, but not as good as the Directors Cut which helps explain the plot more, aside that, if you can understand, it's one of the best movies to date.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RevvinCJ

Apr 18, 2019

At first, while watching the very beginning, I thought it would be very cheesy (and no doubt, it kind of was) but in the end, it reminded me of Akira. A main character that had a personality and mannerisms that were just… so different from any movie archetype that he seemed like a realAt first, while watching the very beginning, I thought it would be very cheesy (and no doubt, it kind of was) but in the end, it reminded me of Akira. A main character that had a personality and mannerisms that were just… so different from any movie archetype that he seemed like a real person. I understand why this is considered a cult movie due to the subject being about something I believe we can all relate to and it ending up being life-altering. The notion that those "flashes" of the future, those predictive "dreams" we have sometimes, those key words that catch our attention more than others…. Maybe they are more than just that. It’s a nice thinking movie, but that dark and foreboding music (especially in the credits) makes me want to think there is something more. Thinking back before something tragic happened to you, do you remember any sign? Can the strange feeling in your gut be the power of fate?… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

cabrita

Jan 5, 2012

A well done twisted thriller that does unit it's story in the end but that is not saying it entirely suceeds. The end did not cheat nor did it ruin the great experience to that point.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MrRickstur

Jan 23, 2018

When you have a main character time traveling across parallel universes, and the film has a dead-serious mood, I just can't help but laugh lol. The director should just stick with what he actually understands, rather than pretend like he knows how wormholes and dimensions work. Also, if theWhen you have a main character time traveling across parallel universes, and the film has a dead-serious mood, I just can't help but laugh lol. The director should just stick with what he actually understands, rather than pretend like he knows how wormholes and dimensions work. Also, if the audience requires online discussions in order to understand just a portion of a movie's meaning, then that's a clear sign of an unsatisfactory movie with very poor writing and execution. This movie is one of the best examples of that. It should've been able to stand on its own without much outside research. Overall, the movie is edgy, pretentious, confusing, nonsensical, filled with pseudoscience, and struggles to give any sort of clarity in its messages. On top of that, it's really really boring..… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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92	#92 Best Movie of 2001
10	#10 Most Discussed Movie of 2001
20	#20 Most Shared Movie of 2001